A Walk in the Words

Inspired by his own childhood, Talbott details the experiences of a dark-haired, light-skinned child who loves drawing and stories, but is “the slowest reader” in their class. Seamless interplay between the text and the art, rendered in ink, colored pencil, and watercolor, amplifies the text. About the child’s experience with transitioning to chapter books that have few illustrations: “It was a rain of terror./ My drawing pad was my safe place.” The attendant art shows the narrator using an oversize notebook as a tent, hiding from a barrage of precipitation; interspersed red text, emulating rainfall at a slant, reads, “I could/ pick out/ the/ words/ that/ I knew/ but/ the rest/ looked/ like/ squiggles.” Emphasizing sheer persistence as the way through, this is a personal, visually arresting read for those who may find themselves learning at a different pace. Back matter features an author’s note. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)