Review by Booklist Review
Using succinct, poetic text and her signature close-up nature photography, Sayre explores awkward transitional moments experienced by all animals. "Every creature on Earth at times finds itself in between. / In between boulders, in between branches. In between blueberry rows. / In between inside and outside, / day and night." The crisp, full-color photographs are particularly appropriate to the lyrical text: baby birds nestle snugly between barn rafters, a raccoon clings to trees growing side by side, turkeys stroll between blueberry bushes. Perhaps most impressive are the shots that depict motion and change: a tiny chickadee grasps a leafless winter branch and finally lets go, taking flight; a recently molted dragonfly pauses to dry; and a pink spoonbill launches and glides away. Unspoken throughout is the idea that while changing states may feel uncertain, it allows for endings and new beginnings. More contemplative than scientific in tone (the animals are not identified), this perceptive and reassuring offering will be welcomed by in-betweeners and the late Sayre's many fans.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Striking wildlife photography pairs with poetic lines in this ode to fleeting in-betweenness. From a robin landing to a hare mid-jump to chipmunks playfully wrestling, full-bleed photos by the late Pulley Sayre focus sharply on their subjects--amphibian, avian, insect, and mammalian alike--as they fly, splash, hide, and more while enduring the often uncomfortable experience of "almost." Embracing alliteration and rhyme, narration gestures toward the universal as it meaningfully labels critters "in between/ holding tight// and letting go." In an underwater shot, a juvenile frog lingers just below the surface: "Nice new knees,/ but still not leaping." As examples build, patience and persistence are emphasized as necessary aspects of growth and change--experiences that the text reassuringly suggests unite all living things. Gesturing toward kinship with nature, the creative team supportively captures complicated feelings of being on the cusp. Ages 4--8. (Mar.)
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Review by Horn Book Review
With a poetic text and sharp, uncluttered photographs, the Sayres examine transitions in the natural world -- transitions from physical spaces as well as those between states of being. The initial double-page spread sets the stage: âeoeEvery creature / on earth / at times / finds / itself / in / between.âe A stark white background encourages scrutiny of the accompanying photograph of three chicks, âeoein betweenâe birth and maturity, lined up in a nest located inside the V of two intersecting rafters. Other spreads, composed of two, three, or four images, create similar tableaux with layers of meaning; text placement expands the viewing experience. The authors gradually introduce synonyms; readers see a pair of birds with eyes just about closed, âeoealmost asleep, / but not yetâe; and see a duckling flapping its wings, as âeoein the meanwhilesâe it grows stronger. Ideal for a group read-aloud, this book encourages discussion of personal âeoein betweens.âe Betty CarterMarch/April 2023 p.100 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A celebration of transitions in the animal world. The late April Pulley Sayre documents the in-between moments of animal lives in this posthumously published poem and photo album co-authored by her husband, Jeff. In words and pictures, they demonstrate preparations, waiting, anticipation, even some trepidation--animal experiences that their human readers will surely share. Ground squirrels, chipmunks, and raccoons peek out from hiding places. There are takeoffs, flights, and landings featuring a chickadee, a robin, a blue jay, a red-tailed hawk, a wood stork, flamingos, and a whale leaping from the water. Some images show animals in families: robins in a nest, squirrels, Canada geese, two groundhogs. Many depict young animals, not quite prepared to go out in the world, "awkward," "unsteady," "almost ready." A green darner dragonfly still perched on its previous nymph form--"body transformed, / but not yet gliding." The close-up images are crisp and clear, the word choice is precise, and the poem flows smoothly--April Pulley Sayre has a well-deserved reputation for combining visuals and text to encourage a child's awe at the natural world, and this exemplary work is a shining example. The animals are not identified, but most will be familiar to young American readers.(This book was reviewed digitally.) Wondrous and wonderful, for reading and thinking and sharing. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
