Review by Booklist Review
At the park, "Vern longed to be one of the kids who swooped until their toes touched the sky." The visual perspective shifts from an overhead view of the playground to that of an earthbound mortal watching the angels soar, with the indigo silhouette of a long, slender figure--balanced in perfect geometry at the zenith of a taut swing, long hair sweeping, foot extended on pointe--set off against the textured swirls of a sunny sky. The common experience of tackling the swings is handled beautifully as Vern struggles to learn how to "pump" himself into the sky. Help comes in the form of big-kid Gretchen, arcing upward with all the ease, grace, and shifting sparkles of a rainbow. Her encouragement and instructions will help readers with their technique as much as Vern: "Lean / Stretch / Sweep // Pull / Tuck / Swing." Practice makes perfect, and it takes much trial and error for Vern to finally conquer the swings and "take flight with the birds." Park's digital illustrations, serving the vibrancy and texture of crayons and pastels, deliver energy in their dynamic angles and beauty in their blended colors. This is a book that soars on multiple levels, grounded in the sense memories of the playground while not only serving as a practical guide but also capturing the challenge, excitement, and wonder of conquering your first swing.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
Vern dreams of soaring through the air on the playground swings. If only he could learn to pump his legs! While well-versed in other swinging activities, such as the wind-up and spin-out and belly-down, none gives Vern that feeling of flying. Other kids make it look so easy, while Vern thrashes this way and that trying for takeoff. Luckily, high-spirited Gretchen, a patient and encouraging young guide, comes to his rescue. Readers of all ages will relate to Vern's experience of mastering something new, all the stops and starts included. Lucianovic's vigorous text captures the joy of soaring high into the sky on a swing, with a catchy how-to refrain: "Lean / Stretch / Sweep / Pull / Tuck / Swing." Park's illustrations are magnetic, drawing viewers' eyes to each page. Nearly neon colors are softened by the mixed-media, chalk-like style. One particularly captivating spread shows Gretchen swinging high above Vern, with the words 'try again' in large lettering across the two pages. Both friends are depicted with amber skin yet unique features. Vern's long, straight hair displays several shades of blue, green, and red, while Gretchen wears her purple curls in a bun. Fittingly, the story ends with Vern offering his new knowledge to another young park-goer. Hill SaxtonJuly/August 2024 p.107 (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
How far can YOU go? Vern loves the playground swings, but he usually sits, letting the chains twist and spin him around, or lies stomach-first on the seat. He can't soar like the other kids. When other children taunt him, he contorts his body in vain, ordering his legs to pump. Then a girl named Gretchen asks if he wants to learn. He painstakingly follows her instructions, and she stays with Vern, not letting him quit, until she finally must leave. Though tempted to give up, Vern persists--and then…he PUMPS, touches the sky, and joins the birds! Earthbound again, Vern hears a small boy wistfully tell him he wishes he could pump. Guess who's the expert now? Aiming skyward on a swing is, of course, a metaphor for attempting to reach any goal; the reassuring message in this dynamic, fast-paced tale: Don't quit, keep trying, and you'll succeed. Throughout, Lucianovic demonstrates a keen, child-friendly understanding of what it's like to master a new skill: "It feels hard until you get it, and then it's not." The energetic, loosely drawn mixed-media illustrations zing with color. Amid all this fun, characters' hair and skin shades are fancifully depicted, though hair textures suggest that some characters might be people of color. Creative typesetting wizardry, with words and action lines "swinging" everywhere, emphasize the action. Swing by the zesty endpapers. It's swing, hit, and no miss with this rip-roaring charmer. (Picture book. 4-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
