Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Lying on their stomach, crayon in hand, a child contemplates literally redrawing the world in this hopeful picture book. They start out by addressing the really big issues: "When I redraw the world, no one will be hungry. And everyone will have a home. That seems important." Heavy lifting done, the artist-narrator applies their talents to reimagining life's finer details, creating a world in which anyone can press a button to experience beloved smells and sounds, anthropomorphized zoo animals are free to live where they like ("except in bedrooms. And except for gross animals"), and dogs of every hue will be found "everywhere." A final idea should win budding bibliophiles' hearts: "When you turn the last page of a book you love, a new book--just as good or better--will appear." Via a confident protagonist; crisp, whimsical line art; and a large cast of kid and animal characters, Vernick (The Family Tree) and Fox (Don't Feed the Coos) suggest that the most radical optimism might just be found in a child's crayon box. Figures are portrayed with various skin tones, most fanciful. Ages 4--8. Author's agent: Erin Murphy, Aevitas Creative Management. Illustrator's agent: Elena Giovinazzo, Heirloom Literary & Media. (Jan.)
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A child imagines what life would be like if crayons could give things a redo. The straight-haired narrator, with skin and a dress the color of the white background, applies a blue crayon to paper and begins compassionately: "No one will be hungry. / And everyone will have a home." Colorful, cheery, childlike compositions portray a circle of houses from which people emerge, carrying food for al fresco dining at a common table. The descriptions move to the sensory, with buttons to push for favorite smells and sounds. Dogs will be everywhere, and the protagonist imagines their gratitude, particularly for the abundance of tennis balls. Various items will "be a thing": ice cream shops in treehouses, confetti to reward thoughtfulness. The artist acknowledges the responsibility of the task and considers making "erasable" art, since "ideas grow and change." Many of the thoughts and parlance mirror a young child's logic and desires, like walking on rainbows; others, such as accommodating future changes, reflect a more mature perspective. A few don't quite make sense, such as dangerous animals like sharks having to wear costumes, but children may still smile at the toothy creature with glasses and a mustache. Overall, this is a lighthearted prompt for readers to consider their own worldviews and wishes. A pleasant exercise in "What if?"(Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
