Matt is miserable. The subdivision where he now lives is surrounded by
nothing but muddy fields of rocks and sticks. But when Matt ventures
out, his imagination kicks in. He draws a muddy, winding line and names
it Snake River. A pile of rocks becomes the Dog Tooth Mountains. Just
like that, Mattland is born. Soon a little girl shows up with a handful
of helpful odds and ends. Piece by piece, she and Matt expand their new
world with popsicle-stick bridges and scrap-paper boats. And when a
rainstorm finally threatens to wash everything away, all the
neighborhood kids appear and help stave off the flood. Evocative of
childhood friendships and with sublime illustrations that brighten in
color as the story progresses, Mattland is an inspiring ode to
cooperative play.