City folks will recognize so many familiar features in Matt James’ new picture book, Nice Try, Charlie!

Charlie is a neighbourhood collector, walking around his neighbourhood collecting things, useful and not. While he makes his rounds he gets to know his neighbours and always tries to be helpful. When one day he finds a pie, he tries in earnest to find the pie’s owner. Eventually, failing to find the owner, he sits down with his neighbourhood friends and enjoys a delicious slice.

It’s a simple story of kindness and resourcefulness. How often do we see children picking up what adults may think of as garbage and turning it into treasure, just like Charlie. Children will want to learn more about Charlie as they read and may even be able to make connections to the people who collect things in their neighbourhoods. Also, there are meaningful discussions that can happen about recycling and repurposing things we think of as garbage. But let’s talk about the pie for a minute…I’m not sure I would want to eat a pie I just found on the street, so that too will lead to discussions about where the pie might have come from and who it may have belonged to. Readers will have so many wonderful thoughts and ideas after reading Nice Try, Charlie!

The art in this book is captivating. Matt James’ bold brushstrokes and photographs layered with paintings really capture a city neighbourhood and it’s occupants. It’s a feast for the eyes and a fantastic book to share with a group, as the illustrations will truly shine.