Finding Fire

Wordless save for a five-line intro, this picture book stars a prehistoric child, portrayed with pale skin and red hair, who sets out to find a new source of fire after a torrential rain douses a local cave hearth. Initially youthful confidence and competence personified, the kid trudges with a trusty spear through a windswept, predator-populated landscape. But a sudden tumble results in a hurt foot, and the protagonist realizes they're utterly alone--until they selflessly rescue a scrawny woolly mammoth calf, and gain both a companion and a trusty steed. Rendered in soft blue and brown tones that offer a visual counterpoint to the naturalistically craggy setting, debut creator Kline's mixed-media art exudes the sense of a fledgling world. Comics-style panels pull the reader into close connection with the determined protagonist, while bravura cinematic spreads celebrate ingenuity, kindness, and bravery against the elements and great odds. Readers will pore over these vividly imagined pages en route to its cozy, brightly lit end. Ages 4-8. Agency: Herman Agency. (Sept.)

Each illustration serves to carry the story forward, from sweeping panoramic two-page spreads to multi-panel compositions showing close ups of the boy's expressions as he deals with the various setbacks. This is an engaging tale of perseverance, friendship, and family that will appeal to both emergent readers and middle grade students.
—School Library Connection (starred review)