I See You See

PreS-K--A brother and sister go for a walk with their dog, Tinker, and use their imaginations in this gently paced picture book. As they stroll--Maisie walks, while Jonah uses a wheelchair--the siblings imagine a tree full of cats, a tunnel made of laundry, a tree that is a bell machine, a group of baby dinos in the clouds, and a snow flurry of flying goldfish made of flower petals. Barton's delicately muted digital illustrations portray these flights of fancy simply and beautifully. The siblings are portrayed as white. While the book is generally sweet and dreamy, the first few pages feel off: When the children's mother asks Maisy to walk the dog, Jonah asks to be walked, too. A misunderstanding ensues, the one moment of discord in a serene tale. It's awkward in a story that takes on sibling collaboration and shared creativity. VERDICT A quiet and peaceful picture book about how playing pretend can elevate a chore. Purchase for larger collections.--Kelsey Socha, Westfield Athenaeum, Westfield, MA