When you hide another story in a story, that’s the story I am telling the children” (source: Rosenbach Museum Video). Great picture books subscribe to the Sendak school of thought, “.that there's something living underneath it.

This is perhaps my favorite picture book published in the last few years (knocking Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed right off its pedestal). Wake up Caldecott committee! All the World needs to be on your short list. It flows from page to page with the same hidden depth as the story, especially beautiful in multicultural and multigenerational interpretation. The softly brush-stroked artwork of illustrator Marla Frazee is stunning. A message to take note, to look around and relish in the glow of a good dinner, the love of community, the arms of a grandparent, the fun of playing with your cousin. Mixed within that simplicity is a message of the beauty in the everyday.

The four begin at the beach, wander in their cool red pickup truck to a farmer’s market, stop at a park where rain ruins the fun, enjoy dinner in a cozy restaurant and end the day at their grandparent's home with a slew of extended family. Though it won’t be published until September, I just couldn’t wait to tell readers about this fantastic book.Īll the World follows the simple day of a family. From the moment I opened the amazing promotional box through the minutes spent with the exquisite All the World, to the video describing Simon & Schuster's new imprint, Beach Lane Books, each second had a magical quality that makes those of us who love children’s books swoon.

All the world scanlon