"Tom Tomorrow" is known for his biting/ funny political commentary, as reflected in his cartoon series "This Modern World". "The Very Silly Mayor" is a very different work -- a children's book intended to lead its young readers to gently question political authority. The mayor of a "medium sized city" has some very strange ideas -- that the police should wear clown costumes, and that firemen should use peanut butter instead of water to put out fires. The people go along with these ideas because everyone else is doing it, and they don't want anyone to laugh at them. Sparky the penguin leads people to the Mayor's office to challenge his ideas, and he quickly capitulates. Thus, the youngsters learn to trust their own judgement even if others disagree with them (though why children should trust their own naïve judgements is never explained). No matter; there are plenty of worse, and better, things for the kids to read. ( )

I love This Modern World, but this ham-handed retelling of "The Emperor's New Clothes" is just disappointing. ( )

Excellent children's book that teaches young and old readers alike how to question authority and what they are told. This is a must-read for any liberal child being raised to think for themselves. ( )