Forts

Venit, making her picture book debut, invites young readers to expand their definition of fort beyond pillow piles and tree houses. Readers follow a pale-skinned child with dark hair as they and a feline companion discover "tiny worlds within this world,/ safe as coat pockets." Such bastions appear beneath overhanging branches, within "the hairy roots of a fallen-over oak," behind window-seat curtains, and under tables--each spot offering a protected yet connected place in the world, whether for solitary reflection or intimate friend gatherings. Pak (On a Summer Night) brings these spaces to life through translucently layered watercolor, gouache, and digital illustrations that evoke the overlapping quality of fort materials themselves; particularly striking are spreads of the autumnal outdoors, in which leaves fall like confetti in the fading light, adding depth and warmth to the visual narrative. Emphasizing quietude and mindfulness over raucous play ("Your slow breath fills the fort until/ all you hear are thoughts"), it's a serene offering that celebrates the impulse to carve out one's niche within the larger world. Ages 3--7. Author's agent: Joyce Sweeney, Seymour Agency. Illustrator's agent: Kirsten Hall, Catbird Productions. (July)

An ode to forts of all kinds, from those found in nature to those we make ourselves. A sweeping fall landscape greets readers who open this book. "The world is full of forts," Venit declares, inviting youngsters to follow along as a brown-skinned child explores the outdoors. The hollowed-out root tangle of a fallen tree and the cave behind a waterfall both make welcome hideouts. Closer to home, a backyard treehouse and a tent are inviting getaways. And as the protagonist moves indoors, Venit introduces us to less obvious forts: the peaceful space behind the curtains, "the kingdom under the kitchen table," a pile of boxes, and stacks of cushions. For all the shelter they provide, forts are also much-needed sources of solitude, respites from a loud, people-filled world. Venit's lyrical text reads aloud well and includes beautiful turns of phrase and rich vocabulary that conjure up feelings of tranquility, while Pak's delicately luminous illustrations convey a powerful sense of place, using light and shadow to carve out cozy spots both indoors and out. One especially stunning image shows the child in a tent made of a thin blanket decorated with hanging origami cranes; the silhouette of an adult on the other side casts a pale shadow against the sheet. The young protagonist looks entirely at home, tucked up snug in the various forts; readers will readily relate. A childhood essential transformed into poetic beauty.(Picture book. 4-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.