All the Worldwritten by Liz Garton Scanlon
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illustrated by Marla Frazee
Children's book review by Steve Barancik
Ages 2-8
A children's book about everyday wonder
As I first read this book, I knew I was experiencing something special but I struggled to put words to it. Then a two page spread near the end, rendered by illustrator Frazee (who won a 2010 Caldecott Honor for her efforts), clarified things for me. Here's what I got:
The world itself contains more than enough to keep us entertained. Don't let your iPhone or Xbox convince you otherwise.
The aforementioned illustration features an extended, multi-generational family gathered in a large room. It's clearly a contemporary gathering, but aside from an electric lamp or two, this could be a 19th century gathering.
Three musically inclined family members are playing (piano, violin, and harp) and the rest are either enjoying the concert or entertaining themselves.
The rest of the book features the day's activities as enjoyed by the various family members. A trip to the beach, a trip to a farm, time spent with a huge climbing tree.
Simple but profound pleasures.
Author Scanlon, as much an artist as Frazee, paints a rhyming collage of words more than a narrative.
Hive, bee, wings, hum
Husk, cob, corn,
yum!
Tomato blossom,
Fruit so red
All the world's a garden bed.
When bad weather intrudes on our family, they take refuge in a small cafe, behind a wooden door, serving simple food with fresh cut flowers on the tables. Cold and hunger are quickly overcome.
The book revels in small moments - hugs and kisses, the smell of food cooking, brushing teeth together. The sharp-eyed will find one child talking on a telephone, but hey, that is a 19th century invention after all, and as she hugs her teddy bear we can only assume she's talking to loved ones far away.
The overwhelming charm of All the World
More Caldecott reviews.
More of Steve's children's book reviews.
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