I Wonder

Kari Anne Holt, Kenard Pak (Illustrator)

$18.99

Publication Date: October 1st, 2019

Publisher:

Random House Studio

ISBN:

9781524714222

Pages:

Kari Anne Holt’s I Wonder is the kind of picture book that will prompt different conversations each time a child reads it. Until the last spread, the text is comprised of riddle-like questions that range from the philosophical (‘I wonder why I wonder so much?’) to the silly (‘I wonder if sandwiches get mad when you bite them?’). Kenard Pak’s delightful, spare illustrations add to the fun as they move the story from day to night. Perfect for bedtime and snuggle-time reading, I Wonder is bound to be a household favorite. I know it’s one of mine!

Joy Preble, Brazos Bookstore, Houston, TX

Fall 2019 Kids Indie Next List

Description

Kids who love the intrigue of titles such as What Do You Do with an Idea? will be inspired to ask their own questions about the world around them.

In this unusual text, young listeners and readers follow a group of diverse kids trying to make sense of the world as they see it. Questions such as What do clouds taste like?, Do my toys miss me when I'm gone?, and I wonder if cars and trucks speak the same language remind us of a child's unique point of view. Nothing is more powerful than seeing something for the first time, and these whimsical questions will encourage all readers to take a fresh look around them.
Exquisite artwork by rising star Kenard Pak follows the arc of a day, ending with a spread showing a group of children as different and varied as their questions.

About the Author

K. A. Holt, the author of a number of highly praised middle-grade novels, also teaches writing. This book was inspired by conversations with real kids. She lives a life of mayhem with her wife and three children in Austin, Texas. Follow her on Twitter at @karianneholt.

Kenard Pak combined watercolor, pencil, collage, ink, and digital art to create the illustrations for this picture book. His awards and honors include a Golden Kite Award for Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter. Kenard, a former artist at DreamWorks and Disney Feature Animation, brings his lifelong appreciation of nature to his work. He lives in San Francisco with his wife and their elderly cats. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @Kenard Pak.

Praise for I Wonder

"Pak's artwork is delicate and serious, echoing shapes and colors across a spread to forge connections. Pensive and muted: the quiet side of wondering." —Kirkus Reviews

“A lovely mood and an affectionate ending affirmation send the book’s cast, and its readers, off to joyful contemplation.” —Publishers Weekly

"A sweet jumping-off point for more wondering."—Booklist