More Than Just Another Picture Book: "The Little i Who Lost His Dot"

I can't begin to express what a sweet, stirring feeling I have within me looking at the bound book on my table. The book with its beautifully illustrated cover is a dream realized. Not my own, but my friend's. It is Kimberlee Gard's first published book: "The Little i Who Lost His Dot". 

The critique group that we belong to is rejoicing with her and feeling blessed by her gratitude for our contributions. The idea and the words in the book are Kimberlee's. But each of us can also see suggestions here or there realized on those printed pages, which humble me. And I can glimpse a future where, with hopes and prayers, each of us will have the joy of holding our own books with each other's suggestions recognized on the printed pages.

Wow! My critique buddy has a published book! I can't even imagine her elation, because my own is high!

So my praise does not come off as some sort of conceit merely because we're in the same group, here are links to discover what a wonderful story and concept Kimberlee Gard has created.

https://www.amazon.com/Little-Who-Lost-His-Language/dp/1641700165/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536938394&sr=8-1&keywords=the+little+i+who+lost+his+dot

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38643540-the-little-i-who-lost-his-dot?ac=1&from_search=true#other_reviews

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/kimberlee-gard/the-little-i-who-lost-his-dot/

We Are Brothers Picture Book Review

We Are Brothers by Yves Nadon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A younger brother, encouraged by his older brother, makes a big leap in this summertime coming-of-age story. Facing his fears, he now envisions himself--as he always has with his brother--as cat, bird, fish--to achieve his own bold feat.

The reader senses that author Yves Nadon is writing about his childhood memories at a lake in his native Quebec. The exposition is lyrical, motivating, yet soothing. We connect with this younger brother's desire to follow in his brave big brother's footsteps. Young readers will be inspired; adult readers will express concerns about the possible dangers that could come with this rite of passage. That's what makes this tale exhilarating. Nadon challenges our modern-day social sensibilities with a feat that no one would bat an eye at during the '70s.

Illustrations by Jean Claverie are done in pastels and a sharp carbon pencil on recycled paper, which convey memory and reflection. The spreads that show the main character transforming from cat to boy or boy to fish will transfix readers.

Claverie, with input from Nadon, sketched the brothers as African-American. Unlike some stories, where this treatment feels forced in attempts to create more picture books with children of color, it is natural in "We are Brothers," because this book is not about culture, it is about a childhood experience, binding two brothers for life.


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