mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
A gorgeous book about friendship, about collecting ordinary and extra-ordinary things, and about memories!
I fell in love with the cover and just had to add this one to my trolley when I was at Library #2 early September. It was just calling out to me to read it!
Meet Llewellyn (or Benjamin in Dutch), a little rabbit who absolutely loves collecting things so he can later recollect all those memories by opening the jars. We see him collect autumn leaves, butterflies, flowers, and much more. He has quite a collection, but his collection takes a spin when he goes out to collect red sunset water (something that shouldn’t be captured.. but now can) and meets another rabbit who also has the collector virus. And so we meet Evelyn (or Julia in Dutch). Together they connect, they click, and so we see them go out to collect all that is extra-ordinary and I was just gasping in amazement at what the all captured. Things that normally aren’t really captured they get. From sunsets to sunflowers still full in bloom to a night sky filled with the prettiest stars. And they fill Llewellyn’s house full with it until there is a gorgeous collection that I would absolutely love to see in real life. I mean, the illustrations did it gorgeously, but I just wanted to step in. Really get a feel of it. See those memories. Maybe collect a few of my own while I am in the world. I wouldn’t mind a stunning sunset. Or a gorgeous spring evening. Or a gorgeous moon-lit sky.
My heart broke when Evelyn had to leave. When Evelyn had to move far away. Really, for a moment I had forgotten that these two had families of their own. For most of the book we see them go on such big explorations that I thought they were adult rabbits. But apparently they were still kids. I was hoping and crossing my fingers that this isn’t how the story would end, and thankfully it doesn’t. Llewellyn has a wonderful idea, something that sparks joy back in both of them and I was just giggling and smiling and being so darn happy about it.
That last page! I loved it! I wouldn’t mind another book about Llewellyn and Evelyn… and what we saw on that last page.
The art. Stunning. Gorgeous. Beautiful. Exquisite. WOW. So many details. So many gorgeous things. There were many pages I would love to have as a print on my walls.
The translation was well done, it felt natural and kept the magic of the story. However. I am saddened by the names. Llewellyn and Evelyn are such beautiful names. Plus, they fit better together than Benjamin and Julia. I just don’t get why we have to keep changing names in translations. Yes, the names aren’t really that common, especially not Llewellyn as I have only read that one in books, but why would that be a problem? Expand children’s worlds.
All in all, I would HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend this gorgeous book to all!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I fell in love with the cover and just had to add this one to my trolley when I was at Library #2 early September. It was just calling out to me to read it!
Meet Llewellyn (or Benjamin in Dutch), a little rabbit who absolutely loves collecting things so he can later recollect all those memories by opening the jars. We see him collect autumn leaves, butterflies, flowers, and much more. He has quite a collection, but his collection takes a spin when he goes out to collect red sunset water (something that shouldn’t be captured.. but now can) and meets another rabbit who also has the collector virus. And so we meet Evelyn (or Julia in Dutch). Together they connect, they click, and so we see them go out to collect all that is extra-ordinary and I was just gasping in amazement at what the all captured. Things that normally aren’t really captured they get. From sunsets to sunflowers still full in bloom to a night sky filled with the prettiest stars. And they fill Llewellyn’s house full with it until there is a gorgeous collection that I would absolutely love to see in real life. I mean, the illustrations did it gorgeously, but I just wanted to step in. Really get a feel of it. See those memories. Maybe collect a few of my own while I am in the world. I wouldn’t mind a stunning sunset. Or a gorgeous spring evening. Or a gorgeous moon-lit sky.
My heart broke when Evelyn had to leave. When Evelyn had to move far away. Really, for a moment I had forgotten that these two had families of their own. For most of the book we see them go on such big explorations that I thought they were adult rabbits. But apparently they were still kids. I was hoping and crossing my fingers that this isn’t how the story would end, and thankfully it doesn’t. Llewellyn has a wonderful idea, something that sparks joy back in both of them and I was just giggling and smiling and being so darn happy about it.
That last page! I loved it! I wouldn’t mind another book about Llewellyn and Evelyn… and what we saw on that last page.
The art. Stunning. Gorgeous. Beautiful. Exquisite. WOW. So many details. So many gorgeous things. There were many pages I would love to have as a print on my walls.
The translation was well done, it felt natural and kept the magic of the story. However. I am saddened by the names. Llewellyn and Evelyn are such beautiful names. Plus, they fit better together than Benjamin and Julia. I just don’t get why we have to keep changing names in translations. Yes, the names aren’t really that common, especially not Llewellyn as I have only read that one in books, but why would that be a problem? Expand children’s worlds.
All in all, I would HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend this gorgeous book to all!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
sab_rose's review against another edition
5.0
The art style is right up my alley!
Very touching story <3
Very touching story <3
shighley's review against another edition
5.0
I had not heard of this book until Colby Sharp mentioned it in his Newbery/Caldecott prediction video. It is so beautiful and imaginative! I could see so many extensions you could do with this, and I think I would ask each student what they would do with their jar. There is so much you could try to connect with shared experiences, and simply savoring the world.
lastokes61's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Beautifully illustrated with lots of little details for children and adults to look for on the pages. A lovely story about maintaining a friendship at a distance that is so relatable for children and adults as well. Would make a great gift for a young child.
jcstokes95's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A warm, sweet and simple story about sharing the thing we love with friends. This book has an absolutely unsurpassed art style. So much texture and details, worth staring at for sure. The sunset scene where the friends meet and meteor shower are particularly vivid.
bobcharity's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
I love the pictures
lauriehnatiuk's review against another edition
5.0
Llewellyn, a quiet rabbit likes to collect things - buttercups, feathers and heart shaped stones and place them in a jar where he could look at them and remember what he had seen. One day he meets another rabbit Evelyn and they become friends and collect things together that you think could not be placed in a jar like rainbows and the wind just before it snows. And together they create these memory jars until Evelyn moves away. Llewellyn figures out he still can collect new memories and send them to Evelyn to share with her creating different memories just as she sends memories to Llewellyn. A beautiful magical story about friendship and the way we can collect memories no matter the distance. Highly recommended.
madelinefmcguire's review against another edition
5.0
Llewellyn is a collector of many things like feathers and stones. But then he meets and befriends Evelyn and together they collect impossible things like rainbows and the wind before a snowfall. A beautiful picture book about the power of friendship.