Perfectly seamless; words and art are interwoven in a dance that enchants. Inventive and lovely.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“A timeless feel and an outstanding picture book.” —Booklist, starred review
“A wizard of wordplay and a maestro of composition combine their considerable talents to explore the notion of home . . . Stirring to the eye and the spirit, this evocative book repays frequent readings.” —School Library Journal, starred review
“[A] lyrical meditation.” —Publisher’s Weekly
“Imaginative and colorful.” —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“[A] rhythmic, read-aloud-perfect tale . . . poetic and visually striking.” —Horn Book
If You Want to See A Whale:
“Fogliano's words are carved and measured. This is a writer who takes her time, and the leaps she makes with language surprise and thrill.” —The New York Times
“A gorgeous love song to the imagination . . . It's breathtaking . . . Fans will be waiting.” —Booklist, starred review
“Readers will gape at the two enormous, whale-sized talents at work in this transfixing picture book.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
And Then It's Spring:
“In an understated and intimate partnership, Fogliano and Stead conjure late winter doldrums and the relief of spring's arrival, well worth the wait.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Many treasures lie buried within this endearing story, in which humor and anxious anticipation sprout alongside one another.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Fogliano's poetic yet grounded narrative is reminiscent of Charlotte Zolotow's picture-book texts in its understatement and straightforward, childlike observations.” —The Horn Book, starred review
Grandpa Green:
“[Lane Smith's] illustrations, a blend of line drawings and sponge painting, have a classic feel, and make clever use of the topiary theme, rewarding close examination and repeated reading.” —The New Yorker
“Lush and magical.” —People
“An unassuming little masterpiece . . . The book's power lies in its rich, allusive artistry.” —New York Times Book Review
“It's a rare glimpse into Smith's softer side—as skillful as his more sly offerings, but crafted with honesty and heart.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Visually intriguing and emotionally resonant, this is a book to pore over and talk about.” —School Library Journal, starred review
“Sketched with a finely lined fairy-tale wispiness and dominated by verdant green, the illustrations are not just creative but poignant.” —Booklist
★ 05/01/2018
PreS-Gr 3—A wizard of wordplay and a maestro of composition combine their considerable talents to explore the notion of home. With a stylistic nod to e.e. cummings and just enough rhyme to propel the pace and please the ear, Fogliano tracks siblings as they approach and enter an abandoned house. Her lines about the dwelling are a study in contrasts. Once it was, but now it isn't a home. The boy and girl notice: "A door that is closed but not quite. A door that is stuck between coming and going. A door that was once painted white." As the children peruse books and objects, they extrapolate conclusions about the owners. Perhaps the man was a sea captain, the woman—a painter. Smith's complex, layered illustrations first depict an impressionistic forest world, rich with a bouquet of deep, dappled colors. (A note on process adds appreciation.) Lighter wildflowers grace the foreground, and a bluebird—a character to watch—transports a worm. Inside the house, it's as if the pages have been bleached; sunlight streaming through roof holes renders possessions transparent. Collage elements, such as a mouse poking through a portrait, add humor. As the imagined inhabitants assume center stage, the oil paintings take on more solidity and definition. While the final sentence reinforces the opening message, a concluding iris shot—with bluebird and babies singing merrily on branches that have invaded the structure—suggests an alternate narrative. VERDICT Stirring to the eye and the spirit, this evocative book repays frequent readings. Perfect for one-on-one sharing.—Wendy Lukehart, District of Columbia Public Library
★ 2018-03-04
A derelict house on top of a hill beckons two young children. Two children, possibly siblings, approach the waiting house on a winding, weed-covered path, all the while wondering about its past and those who dwelled within its walls. An empty window invites them to climb in. The tale is not told by the children but by an unseen narrator who seems to speak directly to the readers watching these events from outside the pages. The explorers find all sorts of items that were left behind, while the narrator asks, "Who looked in this mirror?" "Who napped in this chair?" "Who was this someone…who's gone but is still everywhere?" The language is direct, appealing equally to ear, eye, and mind. Intricate double-page spreads allow readers to follow the children as they explore and imagine and then return to their own cozy home. Smith's illustrations neatly separate action from imagination. The children and present-day house are depicted with blotted-line India ink, appearing a bit faded and mysterious (the children's skin takes on the color of the paper beneath). Their imagined house dwellers' activities are painted in bright, light-filled oils with paper collage; the soft edges of these reveal narrow white backgrounds, effectively separating them from now. It is all perfectly seamless; words and art are interwoven in a dance that enchants.Inventive and lovely. (Picture book. 5-9)
