I've long been a fan of Joe Todd-Stanton's exquisite illustrations and magical stories and I was thrilled to get a review copy of his newest picture book, The Comet.
Nyla lives an idyllic life with her dad and cat Fig. Her room is papered in green that echoes the green trees, fields, and decorated with many treasures from her happy days cooking, watching stars, and creating art with her father. But when her dad gets a new job and they move to the city, Nyla feels that everything is dark and lifeless. Her father is busy, the world is crowded, and there are no stars. But one night, drawing next to the stack of boxes in her dark apartment, lit only by a few stray stars in the sky, she sees a comet, from which sprouts a glowing tree...
Along with Fig she goes on a magical night adventure, following the glowing light, until she is abruptly brought back to the present by her father discovering her art covering the walls and the floor of their drab apartment. Her father is at first frustrated and angry, but then he too sees the light of the comet and their lives begin to brighten, eventually creating a new home, meeting friends, and finding joy together again.
Todd-Stanton's art glows across the page in swirling leaves and specks of light, as Nyla tries to brighten her new home. Nyla and her father have brown skin, short cut hair, and they are drawn lovingly, showing how much they care for each other and suffer when their new circumstances draw them apart.
Verdict: This gentle story is a beautiful rendering of familial love, a reminder to busy caregivers to slow down and listen, and to children to find the beauty no matter where they have been transplanted.
ISBN: 9781838740658; Published May 2022 by Flying Eye; Review copy provided by publisher; Kept for my personal collection; Added to the library order list
No comments:
Post a Comment