FICTION

The Wordy Book

by Julie Paschkis (text) & illus. by Julie Paschkis
Enchanted Lion. Sept. 2021. 48p. Tr $18.95. ISBN 9781592703531.
COPY ISBN
K-Gr 3–With tree trunks whose bark is layer on layer of sinewy words, with landscapes that curve and coax along with playful energy about sounds and meanings, and with a sensibility that is part New Age and all childlike, Paschkis winds her way through paintings that ask questions and questions that point to many answers. The art is folkloric, with colorful birds, animals, and people, but also surreal in the compositions, which provide readers with plenty to consider: “Can I hold a castle in my hand?” appears next to a teapot; set inside the teapot is an elephant, ridden by a person balancing a castle. Parrots as symmetrical as a playing card ask, “Can you repeat that?” with the word repeat shown again, this time upside-down, within the text.
VERDICT As with Eden Cooper’s Remember the Night Rainbow, this book asks a lot but has perfect appeal for the dreamy child who loves to be immersed in both words and pictures.
Reviewed by Kimberly Olson Fakih, School Library Journal , Nov 01, 2021

Be the first reader to comment.

Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

BOOKS

Maddie and Mabel Ready for Snow
by Allen, Kari
BOOKS

Welcome to the Woofmore
by Gephart, Donna & Lori Haskins Houran
BOOKS

Eleven Houses
by Oakes, Colleen
BOOKS

Don’t Let the Forest In
by Drews, CG
BOOKS

Summer Nights and Meteorites
by Reynolds, Hannah
BOOKS

A Vile Season
by Ferraro, David
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?