ACHUKA Book of the Day 30 Jun 2021
“The language in these poems is simple but not simplistic: “I hope you are / somewhere / safe / Treefrog // holding on tight / with those grippy toes / riding your / snug saddle of leaves.” Each entry crafts a single episode; together the poems construct a clear narrative arc. Appended with a four-part discussion, nicely organized with pertinent headings, about treefrogs and their survival. Altogether lovely.” Horn Book
“Sudyka’s bold lines and vivid watercolor palette paint an immersive, verdant world, with occasional color pops. Whimsical flourishes often blur the child’s real and imaginary worlds while concealed in the illustrations are names of birds, bugs, flowers, and more for young scientists to discover.” KIRKUS
“This artful picture book seamlessly blends science, poetry, and mindfulness, encouraging little ones to get outside, slow down, and look closely at what’s around them.” Booklist
When a shy girl moves to a strange new home, she discovers a treefrog perched in a secret spot nearby and learns that sometimes all it takes to connect with the people and the world around us is a little patience, a curious mind, and a willingness to see the world through a different perspective than your own.
With beautiful gouache illustrations by Diana Sudyka and magical, perceptive poems from Newbery Honor winning author Joyce Sidman, the lives of tree frog and girl converge
The Newbery Honor winner and Sibert Medalist Joyce Sidman is one of America’s foremost nature poets for children. Accolades for her books include two Caldecott Honors, a Lee Bennet Hopkins Award, winner of the Claudia Lews Award, and many stars and best of lists. For her award-winning body of work, she won the Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. She lives in Wayzata, Minnesota.
Diana Sudyka‘s paintings are largely informed by a deep passion for the natural world. She has illustrated several volumes of the award-winning book series The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart as well as the picture books like What Miss Mitchell Saw by Hayley Barrett.
Follow the illustrator on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinyaviary/
Follow the author on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joycesidman/
“When I discovered gray treefrogs in my yard, I became obsessed with finding and taking pictures of them. I didn’t end up using photos in my book, but the act of seeking them out and capturing them digitally helped me study their habits and understand them.” Joyce Sidman