The Paperboy

Based on Dav Pilkey's 1996 picture book, this iconographic animated adaptation, narrated by Forest Whitaker, introduces an unnamed African-American boy and his dog who, each Saturday morning, leave the warm cocoon of their shared bed to tiptoe past sleeping family members, grab a bite of breakfast, quickly fold papers in the garage, and set off on the paper route. As they pedal down the streets at the break of dawn, Whitaker tells viewers that "all the world is asleep except for the paperboy and his dog." When the paperboy's work is done, he and his dog climb back into bed, just as everyone else is rising. Nicely illustrated and backed with a pleasant soundtrack, The Paperboy is neither long on plot nor character--it is, however, an engaging mood piece that lovingly captures one of the quintessential experiences of many a youth of either sex. Recommended for larger collections. Aud: K, E, P. (R. Pitman)