A review by atperez
Here I Am by Patricia Hee Kim

5.0

In Kim’s almost entirely wordless picture book, loose, informal line work perfectly mirrors the uncertainty of a young boy moving to an unknown land with his family. Feeling anxious and alone in his new country, it isn’t until the boy discovers a seed from home in his coat pocket that he begins to find a small sense of comfort. When he inadvertently drops his seed out the window of his apartment, the boy is forced to venture out and experiences the city unfold for him in an explosion of alluring sounds, smells, and friends that make him feel, finally, at home. Sanchez’s extensive use of negative space, confining frames, and the limited use of nonsensical words on signs and buildings illustrates his sense of isolation as he and his family attempt to navigate a strange, desolate landscape of grays and sepias. The most vivid pops of color –warm reds and burnt oranges- are showcased on his eager-looking mother and father and, later, on familiar items they brought with them from afar. As they navigate their way through a loud, forbidding city, Sanchez brilliantly uses bold red action lines, a streaking technique, and a transit system map to illustrate the constant movement and size of New York City, both sources of unease to our young protagonist. Symbolizing familiarity and new starts, the red seed literally and figuratively adds color and whimsy as his dreary world slowly becomes infused with a softly textured palette of sea foam greens and peony pinks. Readers will be delighted to witness how the boy’s imagination and growing sense of wonder transform the world around him into a rich and welcoming space. Ages 6-9