Between Two Windows

A pulley clothesline strung between two city apartment windows sparks invention and friendship for two imaginative children in this art-focused picture book. “One window belonged to Kayla,” portrayed with brown skin, who’s seen draped over a chair in a pose that speaks of unrelenting boredom. “The other belonged to Mateo,” shown with light brown skin, who is slumped just as dramatically over another chair. Though it “creaks and squeaks,” the clothesline can carry their drawings back and forth, the two realize. Soon they’re trading and adding to drawings of full-fledged fantasy adventures—Kayla’s contributions in green, Mateo’s in purple, drawn by Morris (Bitty Brown Babe) in an aptly childlike style. Sharing household treats (“When Mateo’s mami made pastelitos”) provides new ideas (“the pastelito-saurus”). Then Mr. Winston, the handyman, takes the clothesline down (“I’ll get this old thing fixed in no time”), and they find a way to take their artwork from between their windows and out into the city. Shared creativity fosters deep bonds and makes bare surroundings more beautiful in this high-energy testament to invention. Ages 4–8. (Jan.)