A Way with Wild Things

by Larissa Theule, Sara Palacios (Illustrator)

Overview

Meet Poppy—if you can spot her among the wildflowers!

Poppy loves nature, and can be found carrying on conversations with ladybugs or singing with cicadas, but good luck spotting her indoors and around people! She's a master of camouflage, always finding a way to blend into her surroundings. Some might call her a wallflower.

At a party, Poppy stays out of sight. But when a very special bug lands on the cake, Poppy can't resist popping out to see it. Soon, the rest of the guests notice the beautiful dragonfly, and Poppy, too. Maybe she's not a wallflower after all, but a wildflower.

This poetic and evocative story celebrates the shy and introverted kids among us, as well as the other small creatures to be found if we look closely enough.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781681190402
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	03/03/2020
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	54 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	3 - 6 Years

About the Author

Sara Palacios was the recipient of the 2012 Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Award for her work on Marisol McDonald Doesn’t Match. A native of Mexico, Sara graduated from the National Institute of Fine Arts in Mexico City and went on to earn BFA and MFA degrees in illustration from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. She illustrates for companies in both the United States and Mexico.

Editorial Reviews

Theule's gentle storytelling reveals that what others may consider weaknesses, like Poppy's quiet and keen observation, may actually be our greatest strengths. Palacios' cheery illustrations are bright and playful but softly textured, a perfect match for our protagonist's bright-eyed yet introverted curiosity.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Palacios echoes the tenderness of the narration with a palette reminiscent of old-fashioned botanical prints.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Theule tells an uplifting story for the more introverted and sensitive souls, illustrated by Palacios through vivid, colorful mixed media.…Perfect for youngsters who might need extra encouragement when speaking up or spending time in large groups.” —Booklist

“Young readers will be encouraged to explore nature and find their confidence in this lovely picture book.” —School Library Journal

“Palacios . . . decorates almost every spread with soft and warm-colored paintings.” —Kirkus Reviews on AGNES AND CLARABELLE

“The full-color illustrations, softly textured with colored pencil and watercolor washes and enhanced with crisp digital shapes, emphasize the antic energy of the pair, creating distinctly readable expressions through posture, beak, and snout.” —BCCB on AGNES AND CLARABELLE

“Beautifully illustrated. . . . Children will have fun identifying with Poppy as she progresses throughout the story.” —School Library Connection

From the Publisher

★ 2019-11-05
Theule and Palacios bring a seeming wallflower to the fore.

Poppy Ann Fields likes bugs more than most other humans. With bugs, she can sit and quietly observe their amazing tiny worlds. At parties with people, Poppy prefers to blend in with her surroundings, hiding away and avoiding others and going about in her own pensive way—until a dragonfly alights on Grandma Phyllis' 100th birthday cake. Poppy claps her hands in joy to see another arthropod friend, but her cheerful applause gets the attention of Uncle Dan, and soon the whole clan who have gathered to celebrate are looking at her. Poppy freezes but chooses to focus on the dragonfly, now sitting softly in her hand. In this moment Grandma Phyllis helps Poppy to see that she is no wallflower but instead truly a wildflower. Theule's gentle storytelling reveals that what others may consider weaknesses, like Poppy's quiet and keen observation, may actually be our greatest strengths. Palacios' cheery illustrations are bright and playful but softly textured, a perfect match for our protagonist's bright-eyed yet introverted curiosity. Poppy's dark hair and medium-brown complexion make her ethnicity somewhat vague, and her extended family appears to be quite diverse.

A quiet, contemplative story that reminds readers to pause and enjoy the view. (glossary) (Picture book. 4-7)

Kirkus Reviews