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.).

A Beautiful Picture Book Wondering_ What is Beautiful?

Greystone Kids, 2021

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, right? Of course. That is as it should be. This gorgeous new picture book makes that point clearly in an elegantly quiet and reflective way. HOW BEAUTIFUL is written by Antonella Capetti and illustrated by Melissa Castrillon. Check out an intensive interview with the illustrator, including amazing interiors, HERE.

Story first, though, since this kid-friendly and seemingly simple narrative preceded the remarkable and inspired art on the cover and throughout each spread that is worthy of close examination. 

Caterpillar is the star, but begins as a very contented, grace-filled being, one who finds that each leaf and munch is satisfying and fulfilling. Its life is enough. Until... a hand lifts caterpillar on a twig, admires it, and comments, "How beautiful!" before returning it gently to the forest floor.

And thus, a quest is launched, but one with both a gentle and mythic quality, to determine "What is Beautiful?" An antagonist arises, reacting to  each repetition of the question to forest-mates. It's an increasingly annoying blackbird who denies the claims of beauty in their responses. He challenges their choices, calling them useful, or comfortable, or otherwise functional but NOT beautiful. Until blackbird ultimately spies an empty tin can, which is his choice as beautiful. At that point, catepillar has learned enough to sense that blackbird's choice is NOT beautiful. Exhausted from following a seemingly failed quest, caterpillar and the others settle to sleep, turning their eyes to the sky. 

There, in the night sky, beauty reveals itself to them, leaving no room for debate: the full moon shows its face. 

For anyone who has read or heard that "quiet stories" in picture books will not find a market, here is the proof that the RIGHT story works, even if it is a quiet one.

This elegantly simple narrative is written by an Italian author, illustrated by a British artist, and released by a Canadian publisher. The art provides suitably universal scenes and characters for this detailed interpretation, with characters assuming a sort of "modern dance" grace within the scenes. the style evokes a sort of Renaissance intricacy and elegance while shaping each character in a modern interpretation that hints at powerful similarities within their differences. 

This oversized, intricate, and intriguing art uses saturated jewel tones with intentional white insertions. The sturdy matte papers allow the story and art to progress without need for gloss or shimmer. I'm not the only one who has fallen into the undeniable beauty of these scenes. Check out  Kirkus Review, HERE. Observations by others in-the-know about such things offer plenty of buzz that this may well be among finalists and winners of 2021 awards for illustration and perhaps for story. 

I received a copy of this lovely book with no expectation of a reveiw from GREYSTONE KIDS, a publisher of picture books that have  impressed me objectively, and captured my heart as well. If this publisher is new to you, I hope you'll click their name above and take time to consider the titles they've been producing. Along with offering an expanded platform for underrepresented voices, visions, and stories, they also embrace stories that stretch the more familiar structures often expected by picture book readers and buyers.