Parents are more likely to appreciate Proimos's (Patricia Von Pleasantsquirrel) blend of irony and parody than his target audience; the book's wry tone is similar to that of a documentary about a historical hero. How does an ordinary boy ("no more special than you are") achieve world peace? Paulie begins by being kind to animals and reading to trees, but eventually "turn[s] his attention to mankind. He apologize[s] to his little sister for something he did when he was five years old." The text consistently exaggerates Paulie's achievements (as do his parents) while the black-outlined illustrations and Paulie himself demonstrate what's really going on; when the narrator says that Paulie "was even kissed by a girl," Paulie adds, "by my Aunt Margie." Proimos's artwork is full of droll details that adults will chuckle about (Paulie mimics Nixon's famous peace pose and thinks he'll achieve world peace by passing out cupcakes). Although some young readers may find the theme difficult to understand because of the hyperbole, the message, as one character says, is "as much about the simple act of giving as it is about the cupcakes." Ages 3-6. (Dec.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

In spare, droll text and pictures that evoke Jules Feiffer's work, this title offers an amusing look at compassion and the power of cupcakes. Young Paulie is nothing special . . . no more special than you are, but things change after he begins to connect with the natural world, showing kindness to animals and even reading to trees. Soon, Paulie moves on to people, making amends with his sister and sharing his lunch with a classmate; and when he discovers that cupcakes can resolve disputes, his peace-making ambitions grow. Together with his dad, he visits nearby businesses that have globally-themed names (Furniture World, Toy World), bringing cupcakes and peace to all, until he finally heads home for some well-deserved sleep. The peppy, colorful cartoon art incorporates witty, sometimes hyperbolic details. Some kids may miss the tongue-in-cheek, punny plays on world peace, but the positive story conveys how small, individual actions can have a large, ripple effect. Wry, sweet inspiration for spreading goodwill.--Rosenfeld, Shelle Copyright 2009 Booklist

Gr 1-3-How does a seven-year-old who has not yet mastered whistling achieve world peace? He begins with the easy stuff and works his way up. First, Paulie starts "being kind to small animals. Then bigger animals. And bigger. And bigger still." Then he apologizes to his sister. At school, he is nice to everyone, even the principal, and hands out cupcakes to help resolve conflicts. Having established peace at home and at school, he is ready to expand his horizons. With the help of his family he goes on a "world tour" around town with a van full of cupcakes to distribute to appreciative crowds. Although world peace is a serious issue, Proimos's tongue-in-cheek approach makes the "can do" message fun and child friendly. The text is short and snappy with only one or two sentences on most pages. The simple cartoon drawings, filled in with color, have attitude and personality that matches the tone of the text. Creative page layouts and artsy fonts give the illustrations added energy. This is a great read-aloud, especially for a unit about social issues or character development.-Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Paulie Pastrami's socks don't match. He is always picked last for sports. And whenever he tries to whistle, it comes out as a breathy "bthtttt." How could a boy like this ever achieve world peace? First, he starts small, by being kind to animals and reading to trees. Then he apologizes to his sister, helps friends in need and sings often. Finally, he learns the enormous power of...a cupcake. (One grateful recipient kindly reminds readers, "I hear it is as much about the simple act of giving as it is about the cupcakes.") Paulie Pastrami is a plucky seven-year-old kid armed with a boatload of determination and a whole lot of heart. His mass of wild hair and cartoony wide-eyed exuberance is infectious. Among the many heavy-handed message books about peace, Paulie shines. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.