annieb123's review against another edition
5.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
If . . . is a reformat and re-release of a gorgeous picture book from 1995 by Sarah Perry. Due out 3rd March 2020 from Getty, it's 48 full color pages and will be available in hardcover format.
This is a very short book, but overwhelmingly lush and beautiful. The pictures are surreal and realistically rendered. The artwork is precise and engaging, it draws the eye and invites a lingering contemplation. I have revisited the book a couple times since my original read-through, and I've found myself thinking about one picture or another many times in the intervening hours.
Each of the 23 paintings (not counting endpieces) has a one sentence introduction "if" ants could count, hummingbirds told secrets, dreams were visible, with the artwork illustrating the posit on the facing page. The illustrations are surreal and dreamlike with lots of semi-hidden subtleties and sly details.
This is an all-ages book. Adults will appreciate the beauty and creativity while children will likely appreciate identifying the features of each of the illustrations and everyone can enjoy hunting the hidden 'easter eggs' in each painting.
This 25th anniversary edition also includes a reader's guide with some background info on some of the pictures as well as 2 new paintings and some new spot illustrations.
Gorgeous book, haunting in a good way.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
If . . . is a reformat and re-release of a gorgeous picture book from 1995 by Sarah Perry. Due out 3rd March 2020 from Getty, it's 48 full color pages and will be available in hardcover format.
This is a very short book, but overwhelmingly lush and beautiful. The pictures are surreal and realistically rendered. The artwork is precise and engaging, it draws the eye and invites a lingering contemplation. I have revisited the book a couple times since my original read-through, and I've found myself thinking about one picture or another many times in the intervening hours.
Each of the 23 paintings (not counting endpieces) has a one sentence introduction "if" ants could count, hummingbirds told secrets, dreams were visible, with the artwork illustrating the posit on the facing page. The illustrations are surreal and dreamlike with lots of semi-hidden subtleties and sly details.
This is an all-ages book. Adults will appreciate the beauty and creativity while children will likely appreciate identifying the features of each of the illustrations and everyone can enjoy hunting the hidden 'easter eggs' in each painting.
This 25th anniversary edition also includes a reader's guide with some background info on some of the pictures as well as 2 new paintings and some new spot illustrations.
Gorgeous book, haunting in a good way.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
ljrinaldi's review against another edition
4.0
This is a lovely picture book of odd things to think about. A good jumping off point for discussions after reading the book.
Now, can't say that I have ever wondered about any of these things. I mean, puppies as hills? Fish as leaves? Music you can hold?
It makes for lovely pictures, though, and quite enjoyable. Weird, yes, but enjoyable.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Now, can't say that I have ever wondered about any of these things. I mean, puppies as hills? Fish as leaves? Music you can hold?
It makes for lovely pictures, though, and quite enjoyable. Weird, yes, but enjoyable.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
aztheninth's review against another edition
3.0
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book via Netgalley
I vaguely remember reading this as a child. The imagery accompanying the if statements are still as weird and beyond what I had imagined. Fun exercise in imagination and expectations.
I vaguely remember reading this as a child. The imagery accompanying the if statements are still as weird and beyond what I had imagined. Fun exercise in imagination and expectations.
muddypuddle's review against another edition
4.0
Twenty "if" statements accompanied by 20 imaginative paintings - I can think of a dozen ways to use this in a classroom!
mahdiehsedghi96's review against another edition
5.0
This book left me wowed. It was a wonderful and strange book, exploring what ifs and reminding the reader it's always nice to dream on and enjoy the worlds only existing in dreams. This is not only for children but for anyone at any age, who enjoys a bit of adventure. Highly recommend this book.
falconerreader's review against another edition
5.0
Lovely and funny. I've used this with middle schoolers both to talk about imagination and to talk about the 2nd conditional form. A little imagination sure helps the 2nd conditional form go down easier.
brittmariasbooks's review against another edition
4.0
The art in If... is a joy to look at! It demonstrates that our imagination can take us anywhere. I would not want to spoil the art for you, so go ahead and take a look for yourselves.