It is picture book time again with new ones coming left and right. I was able to find several new ones that are going to be huge hits this holiday season. The first is an award winner, My
Key by Amal and the second is classic Peter Reynolds and will be getting fame (and hopefully fortune) as well.
My Key by Amal is one of the 2020 Key Colors Awards Winners from Clavis. While the flow of the story was a bit choppy for me, the idea of imagination is explored beautifully. A young girl follows the “magic ball” to the place where they will need to use their magical key to enter. And once there, she is pulled into even more magical worlds than anyone could imagine. The black and white with hinted at colors for the illustrations were the highlight. They are expressive, detailed, busy, crowded, and perfect for the tone of the book. At least ages five and up would be the best audience. As a read-aloud to a group it might a little difficult, but one-on-one would most likely work best.
|
|
Our Table by Peter Reynolds is a quaint story. There is an interesting use of color with the violet/purple colors are used in the hair of the family, in several of the areas that Reynolds wishes to highlight to show the importance of the person, place or thing, and the memories of Violet herself has used her namesake color. Even the table has the purple color used to show its own importance. This story of family and the being with them making memories is front and center of the story. Violet is a smart kid who knows how to get back the loss of closeness and love she felt while the family sat around the table. A special project just might show the family how to be together again.