by Emily Winfield Martin (Author) Emily Winfield Martin (Illustrator)
A stunning companion to the best-selling and beloved The Wonderful Things You Will Be, this picture book celebrates how we say I love you with gifts as heartfelt as a daisy, as magical as a dream, and as comforting as a place to belong. It is a poetic tribute to the simple joys of life and nature, and a reminder that the greatest gift we have is time spent together.
The gift of quiet
and the gift of loud,
your hand in my hand
out in a crowd.
New York Times bestselling author Emily Winfield Martin joyously and thoughtfully shares the different ways of giving and loving. Like a beautifully wrapped gift, life's every day moments are precious: in both the little things and the big things, we can all find wonder. From a feather, to a hug, to a sunset, this book captures these gifts within its pages to remind readers how much they are loved, and how incredible this world we share is.
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PreS-Gr 1—This sweet list of "gifts" or wishes from parent to child is enhanced by lovely illustrations and spare text. There is really no story here. It is a poetic list: "The gift of quiet.../ And the gift of loud.../ Your hand in my hand/ Out in a crowd." The sentiment is genuine, though verging on saccharine, and the meter and rhyme mostly flow well. It sells appreciating the moment, being oneself, feeling safe, and caring about the world. Acrylic, gouache, and colored pencil illustrations are lovely, depicting a multicultural cast of children and their families reading, drawing, riding a train, playing outside, and visible through apartment windows. They are detailed and varied, from a close-up of two hands, to crisp items on a white background, to double-page scenes. There is a lovely bit of continuity, with a father giving his daughter a blue marble with the words "I'll give you this world like a lucky blue stone," and a later reference to the "blue stone" with a depiction of the earth in space. The nature images are particularly arresting, including a page that is full of butterflies. VERDICT While the text here will likely appeal more to parents than children, the sentiment is a worthy one to share, and the lovely illustrations will keep the children engaged. Add where Martin's other books are in demand.—Amy Lilien-Harper, Wilton Lib., CT
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