I don’t often read children’s books and rarely write about them, but I couldn’t resist a book about animals by Dave Eggers. Johannes is a wild dog, the narrator and the “eyes” of the land he lives on. Along with his helpers, a racoon, a squirrel, and two sea gulls, he reports to the bison about what is going on all around them. All the animals are free to roam the beach and the forest except the bison. One day it dawns on Johannes that after years of living surrounded by a fence, the bison should be set free.

What I especially like about The Eyes & the Impossible is that it subtly illustrates concepts of friendship, freedom, cooperation and trust without being at all preachy. This is a wonderful read for children 8-12. Because there is plenty of subtlety in The Eyes & the Impossible, it is an excellent book to read aloud and discuss with children of all ages.