maxcfb's review
5.0
This book is a short, sweet, and visually gorgeous tale of family and memory, written and illustrated by the illustrator of [b:Windows|34002082|Windows|Julia Denos|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1488024970l/34002082._SX50_.jpg|54999275]!
From page to page, we move back and forth in time, examining the memories a grandma, a mother, a child, and a cat have made at the grandma’s home, surrounded by fields of blueberries. [Minor hints at the end of the book follow...]
E. B. Goodale’s illustrations of the present are lush and colorful, and her illustrations of the past are a vivid yet faded purple. The red bird on the cover acts as almost a memory “cue,” appearing on each spread and reminding these characters of what their past lives were like.
The mingling of past and present ties back to the thought-provoking central theme of this book: memory allows us to be in the present day and also in the past at once.
What’s my verdict? A beautiful and creative story of our pasts and the people we love—perfect for anyone who wants to reminisce (and also perfect as a gift)!
– Click here to see the full review on my blog!
From page to page, we move back and forth in time, examining the memories a grandma, a mother, a child, and a cat have made at the grandma’s home, surrounded by fields of blueberries. [Minor hints at the end of the book follow...]
Spoiler
The surprising ending just might tie back to the back flap of the book, so make sure to check that out…and while you’re at it, do NOT forget to read the blurb on the last page saying what the illustrations are made of. Seriously. It’s so genius.E. B. Goodale’s illustrations of the present are lush and colorful, and her illustrations of the past are a vivid yet faded purple. The red bird on the cover acts as almost a memory “cue,” appearing on each spread and reminding these characters of what their past lives were like.
The mingling of past and present ties back to the thought-provoking central theme of this book: memory allows us to be in the present day and also in the past at once.
What’s my verdict? A beautiful and creative story of our pasts and the people we love—perfect for anyone who wants to reminisce (and also perfect as a gift)!
– Click here to see the full review on my blog!
pib003's review
4.0
I like this concept! I might use this in a TALK storytime to generate conversation around memories. Probably best for an olderstorytime audience.
panda_incognito's review
3.0
This book has a sweet emphasis on memories and family, but the narrative flow is choppy and it will appeal to adults' nostalgia far more than it appeals to children.
fernthepanda's review
3.0
I received an eARC courtesy of Clarion Books via Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.
I think this book is stunning; my daughter found it a tad underwhelming. I think this definitely has a very specific appeal and will require some patient explanations to very young children.
All that being said, this book was made with blueberry ink and instructions to make your own in the end pages-brilliant!
I think this book is stunning; my daughter found it a tad underwhelming. I think this definitely has a very specific appeal and will require some patient explanations to very young children.
All that being said, this book was made with blueberry ink and instructions to make your own in the end pages-brilliant!
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