The subject of today’s Perfect Picture Book is the author and illustrator of one of my family’s favorite picture books. When I first learned of its publication, I knew I had to read it and share it with you – after all, don’t we all need more beauty in our lives?
Title: World More Beautiful: The Life and Art of Barbara Cooney
Written By: Angela Burke Kunkel
Illustrated By: Becca Stadtlander
Publisher/Date: Random House Studio/2024
Suitable for Ages: 4-8
Themes/Topics: biography, Maine, author-illustrator, beauty, color
Opening:
From the top of the Hotel Bassett is a view of both the city and the sea.
Barbara is born in Room 1127, along with her twin brother. A boy and a girl. A mother and a father.
Brief Synopsis: A biography of the author/illustrator Barbara Cooney
Links to Resources:
- Read the Author’s Note to discover more about Barbara Cooney;
- Read Miss Rumphius. How is Cooney’s life similar to Miss Rumphius’ life? How do they differ?
- Miss Rumphius made the world more beautiful by planting lupines. Cooney illustrated picture books and raised funds to build a library. How do you make the world more beautiful?
Why I Like this Book:
Like the subject of this cradle-to-grave biography, Kunkel utilizes lyrical language and Stadtlander creates color-filled scenes to show how Barbara Cooney made the world more beautiful via her illustrations, picture books, and life. I love how Kunkel shows parallels between Cooney’s life and that of her most famous protagonist, Miss Rumphius. At times, she uses Cooney’s own words to describe Cooney’s life. Like in this sentence, “And pretty soon, Barbara is grown up.”
I love, too, how Kunkel and Stadtlander showcase the importance of color to Cooney. Not only does Kunkel mention the color of flowers, stucco houses, and so much more, but in one evocative sentence, she states, “Summer is gray, and blue, and green, and free.” In contrast, fall and school are filled with “facts laid out in black and white.” I think every budding creative can relate to that sentiment!
Whether you’re a fan of Cooney’s work keen to learn more about her, whether you’re a creative wondering how you can make the world more beautiful, or whether you want to savor the beauty of the landscapes Cooney loved, I highly recommend World More Beautiful.
A Note about Craft:
Although the events in World More Beautiful happened in the past, Kunkel relates the story of Barbara Cooney in the present tense. Like Miss Rumphius in which Cooney begins that story in present tense, Kunkel chooses to bring an immediacy to Cooney’s life, perhaps to help children relate to it better.
This Perfect Picture Book entry is being added to Susanna Hill’s Perfect Picture Book list. Check out the other great picture books featured there!
Wander, Ponder, Write 