Reviewed by Constance Stadler for Readers' Favorite

Mr. No Face by Mr. Darrell Wayne Henry Sr. conveys a lesson by dissecting the anatomy of bullying. When we meet Mr. No Face, it’s clear that he is very different than other adults. His clothes were always the same and quite unconventional—some were meticulously clean and pressed, others not. Between a bushy beard and a feathered hat that hid the upper half of his face, it was impossible to discern what he looked like. This anonymity became a fulcrum for children to deride him, especially since they didn’t understand why he was always humming the national anthem. Considering his devotion to the Star Spangled Banner, his past might have included some form of military service. While it may or may not have been true, the point is they did not want to know anything about him, much preferring to continue verbal abuse of someone who, In their eyes, didn’t matter. The story shifts when one child makes a welcoming overture. After asking a few unanswered questions, the freckle-faced youngster still sought to know him. In singing along with Mr. No Face’s humming, the musical synergy engaged money-tossing passersby. The story ends when these new friends go to buy ice cream with their joint ’earnings’.

However, the strength of this affecting narrative is in underscoring what each action means, explaining the pain of someone being teased and summarily judged because they are not like other grown-ups. The description of sadness resulting from unrelenting taunting reveals the impact of constant assault. The imbued hope when the little boy approached him with curiosity and kindness, actions that led to a new friendship, is explained in the same way as the negative qualities. Mr. Darrell Wayne Henry Sr. deftly exposes caustic cruelty, letting the young reader know the harm caused by being a bully and the rewards of accepting others. In reading, a child may perceive they have a behavioral choice. Mr. No Face is more than an engaging book. In an attentive reading – ideally guided by parental support -- a young reader may begin to not only understand the value of being open toward others, but it may also cause them to consider who they are and who they want to be. This book should be on every bookshelf where a young child is involved in defining their identity – few realizations could be more significant.