Everywhere, Wonder

Everywhere, Wonder written by Matthew Swanson and illustrated by Robbi Behr surprised me in a wonderful way.

The story begins by addressing the reader,

“I have a story to share. It is a little gift from me to you.”

We set off on our imaginative journey. At first we are taken to big, huge, vast places.

The pyramids, the Grand Canyon, etc. bigger and bigger until suddenly,

“In Sheboygan, there is a tractor mechanic named Shirley who has thirty-seven friends.”

This hits the reader as obviously out of context and is entirely unexpected.  The author and illustrator are very clearly making the point that wonder is not just huge. It’s not always a vast landscape, but it can be small, and is all around us. And so the book continues to juxtapose big concepts,

“In the middle of the Coral Sea, there is a roaring storm that no one will ever hear.”

Against simple and relatable ones that a child can easily visualize,

“On the playground is a sturdy line of bright black ants, carrying their supper home.” 

The artwork beautifully mirrors the author’s pattern, contrasting colorful, full bleed spreads, with ones of graphic white space. Sending us far, and then reigning us in. The little boy in the story has let his mind take him on these overwhelming adventures, only to end up back where he began, in his room, but with creative and imaginative stories bursting off his pages.

I chose to write about this book because I think it is a fantastic teaching tool. Not just in the classroom, but in talking to children about where ideas come from. And that they don’t need to be gigantic, they can be simple observations about the wonder all around us and inside of each of us. What a terrific way to introduce story writing to a child. As well as a fantastic reminder to all of us adults.

Take the time to look, to see, and to appreciate all the wonder—- everywhere.

 

 

 

 

Thank you!

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Jennifer Black Reinhardt

Jennifer is the illustrator and author of several acclaimed picture books. Most recently is Always by My Side, 'A Stuffie Story', which she wrote and illustrated. She also is both the author and illustrator of Playing Possum, and Blue Ethel. Jennifer illustrated Gondra’s Treasure, written by Newbery award winner Linda Sue Park. As well as, Sometimes You Fly, by Newbery medalist, Katherine Applegate. She illustrated Yaks Yak, Animal Word Pairs by Linda Sue Park, The Inventor's Secret, What Thomas Edison Told Henry Ford, by Suzanne Slade, Rabbi Benjamin's Buttons, by Alice B. McGinty, and The Adventures of a South Pole Pig, by Chris Kurtz.

20 Comments:

  1. This book sounds wonderful! Going to find it today. Thank you!

  2. Thanks for sharing. It’s on order!

  3. Looks like a wonderful book full of beauty and inspiration! I love its message too: Life is full of wonder – everywhere. 🙂

  4. Thanks, Jennifer, I haven’t heard about this book, but it is going on my “must buy” list. What a great example of the author giving the illustrator all kinds of room, and the design of the book looks like something to study, too.

  5. Sounds wonderful! Can’t wait to read it!.

  6. What a great concept. And beautiful illustrations.

  7. Debra K Shumaker

    Oh my gosh, I have to get this book because A: it sounds awesome! And B: It has Sheboygan in it! I grew up 40 minutes from Sheboygan!!!!! What fun. Thanks, as always, for a wonderful post!

  8. Sounds — and looks — amazing, Jennifer.

  9. What a lovely theme. I will definitely watch out for this book. Thanks for your post!

  10. Such a delicious story and illustrated book!

  11. This sounds–and looks–fabulous, Jennifer. Can’t wait to check it out!

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