Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
"An idea can come from anywhere./ Start here:/ Reach up into the sky/ and unhook a star" begins musician Questlove in a picture book aimed at promoting creative thinking and imagination. An affirming tone invites readers to explore an idea until it materializes into something more: "It might tell a story,/ one word speaking to the next,/ and on down the line." Subsequent pages suggest further methods for bringing concepts to life: adding ingredients, changing one's surroundings, and coming back to the idea ("Today is not the only day you have with your star"). Qualls's signature-style illustrations visualize a dark-skinned child amid a range of textural design elements. Together, the creators underscore the positive outcomes of creative work both solo and in collaboration, and a final spread invites readers into creative process: "An idea can come from anywhere. Now, where will it go?" Characters are portrayed with various skin tones. An author's note concludes. Ages 4--8. (Sept.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1--5--Where do ideas come from? They can come from anywhere. A star is "idea-ified," and readers are encouraged to reach for it, hold it, and listen. Maybe it becomes a story, or music, or perhaps it's one ingredient in a recipe for something greater. Ideas can be sweet, or sad, but are something that can be molded over time and explored again and again. While evocative for adult readers, this title, centered on ideas and other abstract concepts, may be difficult for children to engage with and access. This book will be best consumed by middle elementary students, through conversation with an adult reader who can solicit their creative thinking. Qualls creates fanciful illustrations that are full of depth and texture, and which help to bring the idea of ideas to life--no small feat. VERDICT An aspirational if abstract selection aimed at encouraging imagination.--Jennifer Noonan
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Musician, producer, and music journalist Questlove offers encouragement for young dreamers. "An idea can come from anywhere. Start here: Reach up into the sky and unhook a star." As this work opens, a young child with dark skin and a large Afro gazes out the window at the night sky and finds inspiration for a newly formed idea. Each page includes suggestions for coming up with and honing an idea. "Look at it from one side. Look at it from the other side. Toss it, turn it, spin it, flip it upside down." "It may need a little sweetness, or maybe some umami, building a depth of flavor." The motivational text is paired with dark, otherworldly, mixed-media illustrations, rendered in acrylic paint, paper, collage, and pencil, which demonstrate the limitless potential of ideas. Together, the words and visuals offer readers opportunities to explore how to turn their thoughts into realities. While the book is stirring, it may go over youngsters' heads; some references will leave little ones perplexed. The abstract nature of the instructions and illustrations make this work better suited for the audience the book is dedicated to: presumably older readers nurturing their inner child. Poignant, though laced with truths more likely to resonate with adult readers.(Picture book. 6-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
