Outside

Newcomer Gill’s story starts on a winter afternoon as a boy tries to persuade his older brother to play outside. (In a collection of otherwise dreamlike spreads, the image of the older boy staring slack-jawed at his computer provides a moment of comedy.) Alone outside, the younger boy builds a gigantic snowman as snow-blanketed spruce trees watch over him; although he doesn’t realize it, they’re alive. Imagination reigns as the snowman, too, comes to life, peers gently down at the boy, then helps him build a magnificent snow castle. At day’s end, the sunset takes shape as a gold- and rose-tinted dragon: “Together the boy and the dragon fly over the trees, over the house, and above the village, until the world below looks very small.” Gill understands the dynamics of storytelling and uses economical narration and white space with practiced skill. There’s a push-and-pull between the charm of the boy’s solitary adventure and the need to resolve the conflict with his older brother; their reconciliation is a tad hasty. Nevertheless, Gill’s ability to make the world of imagination come alive is indisputable. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)