The Legend of Rock Paper Scissors

In the backyard, Rock laments that he can never find a worthy opponent to battle. In the office, Paper is similarly undefeated. Meanwhile, in the kitchen junk drawer, Scissors is the winner of every fight. When the three meet for the first time in the garage, an epic battle ensues...

I loved Daywalt's previous two books, The Day the Crayons Quit and The Day the Crayons Came Home, so I had high hopes for this book. It's constantly been checked out of my library since its publication, so today was the first time I finally got to sit down with it.

This book is very clever and witty, especially with its hyped descriptions of ordinary household items, such as "the mystical Tower of Grandma's Favorite Apricot Tree" and "the frigid wastes of show more Refrigerator/Freezer." Some jokes, such as the paper jam that defeats the printer and the "are you not entertained?" quip are especially funny to adults, but I'm not sure if they'll strike quite the same chord with younger readers.

The illustrations are very well done as is the lettering; both fit very well with the story being told. I did appreciate the small efforts at diversity -- Scissors if female (which we know because the text denotes her as such, not because she has extra long eyelashes or lipsticked lips) and a picture of children's hands playing Rock, Paper, Scissors features different skin tones. It's not much, but at least it's something.

Personally, however, I was not as enamored of this book as I was with Daywalt's previous two efforts. Perhaps it was my mood, but the focus on nonstop battles did not appeal to me. That being said, I could see some young readers -- those who are a bit more in to "rough and tumble" play -- enjoying that aspect as well as the humor. Having read the book alone, I don't have any first-hand reactions from children nor do I know how well this would work as a read-aloud. show less

Too funny. Seriously clever for kids old enough to be familiar with the game and with some of the references that might go over their heads... for example my college-age son pointed out the triforce symbol on the back cover and I suspect most toddlers won't get that. He grinned throughout and lol'd a couple of times. I love these little warriors, even though I'm a irl pacifist.

Easily one of the best, most unique children's books I've read. Probably best for ages 5ish-8, as it does have some mild pretend violence and some butt jokes (to an apricot that Rock is about to challenge, you look like "a fuzzy little butt".)

The way this book is written, you cannot help but read it using silly voices in every timbre and volume available to you. I promise you will be giggling along with your children. You'll be cheering and yelling (and maybe jumping up and down) as Rock, Paper and Scissors beat everyone in their own kingdoms to there eternal dismay - only to finally come together in the garage and, at last, find worthy opponents.

Spending my wife's birthday reading through a small pile of picture books. (1 of 5)

This is just plain stupid fun. It shouldn't work, but it totally does. Fun to read out loud, with several laugh-out-loud moments. Best book of the day!

What an amazingly creative and imaginative concept! I love the idea of the Kingdom of the Backyard, the Empire of Mom's Home Office, and the tiny village of Junk Drawer. This is a fun way to get children's imaginations pumping using the concept of a game we have all played.

I did not like this the first time I read it. I thought it was a wasted opportunity and the jokes didn't land. However, reading it to kids and seeing their reactions made me like it more. Today I read it six times (a solid test for any book) and I have found an appreciation for it. I will be fascinated to see if it wins any awards. There are definitely weak spots in the story, but the artwork is great and extends the story in a way that the Caldecott committee really should take notice of.

Third and Fourth grades seem best for it, although the Fifth graders liked it, too.

The toddler didn't take to this one, oddly - maybe because we haven't played Rock, Paper, Scissors yet. I thought it was hilarious. Each one of the trio goes in search of a worthy opponent - and finds it.

Sample dialogue:

"I hope you're wearing your battle pants, rock warrior."
"If by "battle pants" you mean "no pants, but I'm willing to fight you," then yes....yes, I am wearing my battle pants, weird scissory one!"

*

Re-read June 2018
*
Re-read February 2025