The Only Child

Gr 1–4—A tender picture book with graphic novel elements about a young girl's escape from loneliness through her imagination. Left home alone one day, a cherubic toddler-size child quickly becomes bored and decides to visit her grandmother. Dressing for the snowy day, she boards a city bus with good intentions. However, she eventually grows drowsy, falls asleep, and doesn't wake up until the bus is at its last stop. This is where the story gets magical. The last stop is at the edge of a strange wooded area filled with magical creatures. Much like Lewis Caroll's Alice, the girl wanders through the woods in hopes of eventually finding her way back home. Although this is a wordless picture book, there is no lack of story. Illustrated with pencil in softly shaded tones of gray and white, the girl's subtle expressions are captured simply but acutely. The style is cartoony; however, the black-and-white palette gives it a sophisticated tone. With the exception of several dramatic spreads, most pages are organized into graphic novel-style panels. The apparent age of the protagonist may deter some older readers. Luckily, the heartwarming and enchanting story, paired with such beautiful artwork is reason enough to purchase this title.