Life - Hardcover

Rylant, Cynthia

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1481451626 ISBN 13: 9781481451628

Publisher: Beach Lane Books, 2017

Synopsis

Cynthia Rylant and Brendan Wenzel explore the beauty and tenacity of life.

Life begins small, then grows…

There are so many wonderful things about life, both in good times and in times of struggle. Through the eyes of the world’s animals—including elephants, monkeys, whales, and more—Cynthia Rylant offers a moving meditation on finding beauty around us every day and finding strength in adversity. Brendan Wenzel’s stunning landscapes and engaging creatures make this an inspiring and intriguing gift for readers of all ages.

About this title

About the Author

Cynthia Rylant is the author of more than one hundred books for young people, including beloved series Henry and Mudge, Motor Mouse, and Mr. Putter & Tabby series. Her novel Missing May received the Newbery Medal. She lives in Oregon.

Brendan Wenzel’s artwork often explores the natural world and our relationship to it and he has teamed up with many groups working to preserve wild places and creatures around the world. He has illustrated several acclaimed animal-themed picture books, including Some Bugs and Some Pets by Angela DiTerlizzi, Beastly Babies by Ellen Jackson, and his own They All Saw a Cat. He lives in New York.

Reviews

PreS-Gr 2—A spiritual yet not overtly religious epistle on hope and the many reasons to embrace life. It opens with the notion that "life begins small." Wenzel shows a seedling surrounded by mountains. The next spread declares: "Even for the elephants. Then it grows." A calf is seen looking up to the enormous adults in its herd. Several animals discuss what they love about life, and as the author acknowledges that "life is not always easy," readers observe a bluebird flying through a storm. They are asked to remember that there is always "something to love…and to protect." The narrative continues in this vein, promising that "it is worth waking up in the morning to see what might happen." The mood of the child-friendly illustrations shifts appropriately from the darkness of the wilderness to the vitality of life seen in a flock of birds crossing the moon. The illustrator infuses the book with humor where possible, such as in the expression of a floppy-eared, stick-bearing dog or a camel kicking up sand across a spread. However, Rylant's meandering messages on growth, love, protection, new roads, and—oddly—the value of waking up, raise the question of whether this title has an audience, particularly since these themes are unconnected to one another or to a story. Wenzel's exuberant paintings, though, are quite engaging and convey a deep appreciation for the wonders of the natural world. VERDICT Best shared in an interactive setting.—Wendy Lukehart, District of Columbia Public Library

Edition details

• Publisher: Beach Lane Books
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1481451626
• ISBN 13: 9781481451628
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Wenzel Brendan
• Number of pages: 48