I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Bob's bike broke and he can't find his wrench to fix it so he goes to the mega store. Every time he goes in that store he comes out with something he doesn't need and is eventually out of money.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. I loved this book as a mentor text in my classroom. It will be used for our unit on wants and needs and cause and effects. It could be used for other reading and writing units as well.

Certainly not the first book about searching for a lost item. Gravel's approach is unique. When Bob can't immediately find his wrench, he goes to buy a new one rather than clean up his mess. Repeatedly, since at the store he is talked into buying a series of increasingly silly items rather than a wrench. He finds his own wrench entirely by accident. It's cute and silly and will probably elicit giggles from a preschooler.

Thank you to Orca Book Publishers and NetGalley for the ARC of this work. True to Elise Gravel, colorful illustrations and playful characters abound in this delightful book. As Bob sets out in pursuit of a wrench to fix his trusty trike, he is bombarded by tantalizing options such as musical pajamas and a fridge hat....by the way, where can I get one of those? Though the mega store and Mr. Mart may talk Bob into many a frivolous purchase, Bob eventually learns that what he needs has been under his nose the whole time. I recommend educators of preschool and young elementary students include this book in their libraries and classrooms. It is a great discussion starter for needs versus wants, and emphasizing the importance of a tidy closet to discover all that you have already!

Super cute story about a little rabbit who gets caught in the shopping trap many of us do! He goes into a store for one item and leaves with many other items he doesn’t even need. We have all been there! This is a relatable story I think parents will enjoy reading to their children.

Bob runs over a rock and damages one f the wheels of his tricycle. He needs hi wrench to fix it but it's no where to be found. He heads to Megamart to buy a new one. Bob makes numerous trips there but never buys a wrench, just buys hints he doesn't need. It seems to be a play on consumerism in society. It's a great introduction for children to realize the difference between a need and a want. Perhaps you could also discuss money management. Overall the story is fine. I enjoyed the illustrations more.

Elise Gravel’s trademark wit shines through this latest. Her art style is unique and s utilized well for the story.

Elise Gravel's books are always funny and very cute, and this one is no exception! I gotten a lot of questions from caregivers looking for books about helping kids understand needs vs. wants. There aren't a ton, and very fewer are actually good quality or even readable. Every year we're scrounging for something decent to read during Money Smart Week! I'm so glad this book will be added to that list. I think there is a TON to talk about when reading this book to/with a child; including needs & wants, but also about how things are marketed and sold to us as consumers. All packaged in a very readable silly story that includes a screaming machine!

It was a cute little book about a broken bike, a missing wrench to fix it and a Megamart full of things you dont need. It gives a good message about wasting your money in buying things you don't need.

Wrench is a humorous way to share about consumerism with children. The pitfalls of falling for the useless purchase suggestions made by the slimy salesman are presented in such a silly way, that I can already hear the students giggling. This could also lead to discussions about shopping locally vs shopping at mega stores and the pros and cons of each. A perfect addition to support your media literacy program as a gateway to talking about the many "tricks" used in the media to sell you items that you may not need. 

Thank you to Netgally and Orca Book Publishers for providing me with an eARC of this book for an honest review.

A very cute and gentle look at mindless consumerism that makes its points with gentle humor. Will be purchasing for my library branch.

The Wrench is a funny book about distractions! Give this to students who enjoyed other books by Elise Gravel and Flying Beaver Brothers.

Everyone should be reading Elise Gravel stories to their children. They are brilliantly non-traditional, completely silly and so much fun to read.

In The Wrench, Bob breaks his tricycle and needs a wrench to fix it. When he can’t find it he heads to Megamart to get a new one and of course is sold on a million other things he doesn’t need except the wrench.

Elise Gravel’s illustrations are wildly unusual and incredibly appealing. You and your reader will laugh and laugh as you make your way through this silly story.  The best part about The Wrench is although it’s quite a silly story there is a definite message about consumerism within the pages and teachers could bring this book into the classroom when discussing media literacy, putting an outrageous spin on the topic to really get the point of overconsumption across to young people.  

For those who are dual language learners, great news as this book was originally published in french under the title La clé à molette and was awarded the 2012 Governor General’s Literary Award for Children’s Literature - Illustration, french titles

This was a humorous story with whimsical illustrations! Had my two children laughing out loud as we read it. A quick read that packs a punch!

This is a highly amusing cautionary tale about the dangers of impulse buying and being influenced by slick salespeople. I think, at some point, most every person falls prey to an impulse buy or a cleverly delivered sales pitch, and tries to buy one thing only to come away with another. This is a picture book that takes us through just that. I really enjoyed this book. It was funny and well paced. The illustrations were light and childlike, very appropriate to the text. It's a fun little book. Also, the strange impulse purchase items are very clever and creative. Well done.

Another Gravel book. This one is pretty standard for her style, both writing and illustrations. The characters are cute and the colors are nice. Story is lacking something. Basically, Bob has a an accident on his tricycle and needs a wrench. After looking, he couldn't find his and has to go get another one. He goes to a a big stores and gets dazzled by the salesman and his fancy, but, useless items. Not once, not twice, but, three times. In the end, Bob finds his wrench among all of the things he had stored in a closet. So, of course, he fixed his tricycle. It's a cute little read. I'm just not sure it's any more than that. I guess there is a teachable in there, somewhere. I'm just not sure it's a lesson that is appropriate for the age range of this style of book.

This was an adorable little book. It used lively bright colored illustrations and quirky lettering which made for a super fun and unique read. It also teaches a few important lessons.

This book teaches the young readers all about consumerism and the importance of not being excessive. Nobody needs a fridge-hat! Poor Bob spent all his money on things that he really didn't need and before he knew it he had no money and no wrench. 

My son and I were especially fond of the use of the name "lucien" in this book ;). It's not everyday that a kid gets to come across their own name used for a character! He wanted this book to take all the stars for that alone! Luckily though this book was cute enough to earn them without the name slip!! 


I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a great book!  Bob gives us all a lesson in getting carried away with buy! buy! buy!  totally forgetting about the one simple thing he needs.  Kids will easily get the point and be entertained at the same time!

The Wrench is a predictable picture book that your child will enjoy. The illustrations are entertaining and the child-like characters are relatable. This book makes for a teachable moment.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

This was sort of a silly book. The pictures were kind of strange but colorful. The text flowed well. It's about a bunny that is distracted by a salesperson at the store and impulse buys crazy things instead of what he went for. It's amusing. I think adults will relate to the story more than the kids. But the kids will enjoy the silly gadgets and funny animals.