Publishers Weekly
★ 02/15/2021
“Wonder walk?” says a brown-skinned child with long hair, speaking to a curly-haired child who might be a younger sibling. Archer (Daniel’s Good Day) dwells on their faces as they gaze out of a double window, framing them in graceful symmetry. “Sure,” the second child responds. Outside, the long-haired child gazes up at the blue sky as tendrils of mist thread through green cut-paper trees. “Is the sun the world’s light bulb?” On a bridge, the two gaze at fog rolling over the water. “Is fog the river’s blanket?” This is their shared ritual: walking, taking pleasure in the beauty they see, and asking questions about the natural world’s construction. Some of the queries understand the Earth as one great, living, breathing creature: “Is dirt the world’s skin?” “Is the wind the world breathing?” The two children close their eyes, feeling the breeze on their faces. Sumptuous artwork employs collaged textured and patterned paper to represent rich expanses of sea and sky alongside the individual petals of black-eyed Susans. Asking good questions is at the heart of discovery, and Archer’s young wonder walkers show readers how it’s done. Ages 3–7. (Mar.)
From the Publisher
* “Language that is spare and economic yet profound and beautifully poetic. Only wonderstruck children, confronting nature’s gorgeous mysteries, could express themselves so intimately, creatively, and originally. Youngsters reading/hearing this book on laps or in groups, and grown-ups, too, will be charmed, enlightened, and moved by these breathless queries. . . . At the book’s conclusion, children may want space to discuss, dictate, write, and/or illustrate their own questions/ideas about nature. Luminous ink-and-collage illustrations are lush and vivid, perfectly suiting the text. . . . Excellent for enriching vocabulary, developing creative thinking, and enhancing a love of nature.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* “Some of the queries understand the Earth as one great, living, breathing creature. . . . Sumptuous artwork employs collaged textured and patterned paper to represent rich expanses of sea and sky alongside the individual petals of black-eyed Susans. Asking good questions is at the heart of discovery, and Archer’s young wonder walkers show readers how it’s done.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Archer’s collage illustrations, using tissue paper and patterned papers, burst forth with vibrant colors, beguiling textures, and boundless energy. The double-page spreads employ little white space (there’s too much of the outdoors to revel in) yet are never too busy; Archer knows just where to direct viewers’ eyes. A sense of movement propels the narrative: clouds float; fog blankets the river; ocean waves lap against the shore; and the wind swirls around the children’s faces. Beautifully rendered—and wonderful in every way.”—Horn Book
"An imaginative adventure. . . . Author Micha Archer captivates young readers with detailed collage and oil paint illustrations of a variety of settings, from mountains to the beach to a field. As the children explore the outdoors on their nature walk they ask each other questions like 'Is a river the Earth's veins?' and 'Is the Sun the world's light bulb?' Their questions serve to bring new perspectives and a deeper sense of the world around them. This title will make a welcome addition to nature themed storytimes and will spark discussion among readers." —School Library Connection
Kirkus Reviews
★ 2021-01-13
Ever wonder what kids wonder about?
Two kids, likely siblings, take a “wonder walk” outside. They greet nature with awe and ask themselves (and, not so incidentally, readers) questions articulated in language that is spare and economic yet profound and beautifully poetic. Only wonderstruck children, confronting nature’s gorgeous mysteries, could express themselves so intimately, creatively, and originally. Youngsters reading/hearing this book on laps or in groups, and grown-ups, too, will be charmed, enlightened, and moved by these breathless queries. Ponder: “Is the sun the world’s light bulb?” “Are trees the sky’s legs?” “Is dirt the world’s skin?” “Is the wind the world breathing?” Occasionally, the walkers summarize their thoughts with a solemn exchange: “ ‘I wonder.’ / ‘Me too.’ ” At last, the exploratory journey culminates with nighttime, which evokes a lovely question of its own. The simple text is composed mostly of the duo’s questions; spreads feature one or two queries apiece. Each should be carefully read aloud to allow for serious listener consideration and response. At the book’s conclusion, children may want space to discuss, dictate, write, and/or illustrate their own questions/ideas about nature. Luminous ink-and-collage illustrations are lush and vivid, perfectly suiting the text. The pair are kids of color, one with long, straight, black hair and the other with brown curls. (This book was reviewed digitally with 9-by-20-inch double-page spreads viewed at 37.4% of actual size.)
Excellent for enriching vocabulary, developing creative thinking, and enhancing a love of nature. (Picture book. 3-7)
