Lane Smith: Another Winning Picture Book

The only thing that makes me more excited than discovering remarkable picture books and sharing them here is when the creator(s) ofd those books are new to the field or would otherwise benefit from having their voices and vision lifted to wider audiences. My impact may be small, but lending support to promising talent is a plus to what I do here.

Even so, I can't resist showcasing new books from established creators when they touch special places in my heart. Several of such reliably impressive folks come to mind and come to these pages again and again (Pat Zietlow Miller, Paul O. Zelinsky, Brian Lies, Beth Anderson, Laurie Wallmark, and many more). 

In this case, Illustrator/author Lane Smith has been producing outstanding, award-winning picture books for decades, ones that might target middle grade readers or the youngest, and everything in between. He most assuredly is not relying on my support or feature here to make his latest picture book successful, and yet I could not resist sharing it.

Random House Studio, 2022

 A  GIFT FOR NANA is a heartfelt story starring an earnest, determined young rabbit. He is struck by a deep desire to find the "perfect" gift for his Nana. He invites advice and help, from a variety of unexpected players. The first, a crow, is certain that what he seeks is through and beyond the woods. That leads rabbit to meet Moon (who hangs out in the woods while Sun rules the sky), the Stickler (a fun creation whose identity is unclear), a HUGE fish, a volcano, and a cave before reaching a cliff/mountain requiring superior struggles, despite Rabbit being weary. But nana is worth the effort.

The gentle illustrations and simple direct text allow readers to sense how genuinely rabbit loves (and knows) Nana, how mindful he is of her interests, style, and connection to his life. In the process of very few yet "perfect" lines, readers recognize themselves in being read to, sharing time with, and "knowing" a beloved elder  fully. Rabbit's quest story is demanding but not overwhelming, the intimidating encounters all make helpful suggestions and offer encouragement, yet it falls to Rabbit to decide what will ultimately work. 

All of that effort and satisfaction are celebratory but undermined with humor and a realization that the gift might not be as perfect as it seemed. The deepest comfort arrives as Rabbit and Nana share the closing spreads in recognizable activities and conversation that lead naturally to "read it again" requests. 

Yes, this is an ideal gift for grandparents, of course, but it is also a gift to children, confirming their agency and admirable intentions. While the text is spare, each word and scene is essential. The art is both subtle and spectacular, allowing readers to join Rabbit on his quest, experiencing situations that are both mundane and slightly magical. I highly recommend it for young readers, but also for striving writers of picture books. The infusion of a sort of "nothing" story with characters, language, organic tension, and gentle humor makes this mentor text worth studying. Of course, the illustrations are incredible, but it could be read without the visual and still be deeply moving and gratifying. 

Enjoy! (By the way, this one is also available as an audio book. I have not checked it out in that format but it makes be VERY curious about how the encounters are depicted throughout.).