  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 05/01/2019 *Starred Review* Signs at the side of the road are there simply to inform drivers and that’s all they do. Or is it? Savage’s clever, (mostly) wordless picture book divulges what goes on at night when the images on the road signs are free to come and go as they please. The stag on the “Deer Crossing” warning gently nibbles the leaves on the branch overhead before leaping off his bright yellow diamond-shaped sign. The driver and vehicle on the “Tractor Crossing” indicator plow through a field on the way to meet up with other sign images to set the events in motion. Characters from seven signs—including a “Men at Work,” “Slow—Children at Play,” and the symbol that indicates a playground—take part in the night’s activities. A number of graphic designers created the figures used in this picture book. Savage’s signature illustrations, with their crisp, clean outlines, are spare and striking, and they clearly reveal the shenanigans that take place after dark. Subdued blue, green, brown, purple, and rose convey the nighttime hours, though the illustrations are still bright enough that the actions can be easily followed. This imaginative concept will fascinate youngsters while making them more aware of the signs around them. - Copyright 2019 Booklist. School Library Journal - 05/01/2019 PreS-Gr 2—The term "sign off" means ending a radio conversation, among other things. In this case, the title is taken quite literally and in the most imaginative way. It is not enough for Savage to depicteveryday signs, ones that children will instantly recognize, but he conjures up a story where the characters come off of each of the signs. What do they do when they leap off the signs? And why? This is essentially a wordless picture book, apart from the lettering on the signs, so even the youngest of children can participate by drawing on what they know about signs. The story takes place over the course of a night and the inky colors and the night sky signal that to readers. All of the iconic sign characters come together at the end for a very specific purpose, having to do with the transition to dawn. This is brilliantly illustrated throughout and includes endpapers that let the children know that the story begins at night, but as the sky lightens and the characters finish their work, the last endpaper features the sunrise. The geometric shapes and lack of words might suggest this title is for the littlest of children (and it is) but the story and all the clues it contains makes it a winner for the higher end of this range. VERDICT This is a must-buy for any elementary or juvenile collections.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA - Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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