Summer is a wonderful time to slow down, and I discovered a Perfect Picture Book to enjoy while you do so.
Title: Making Space
Written By: Paola Quintavalle
Illustrated By: Miguel Tanco
Publisher/Date: Enchanted Lion Books/2024
Suitable for Ages: 4-8, and older
Themes/Topics: slowing down, intentionality, moments, beauty
Opening:
To plant a seed…
and watch it grow.
Brief Synopsis: A meditative look at small moments that make life beautiful.
Links to Resources:
· Head to a park, garden, beach, or other favorite place. Look around. What do you see? Hear? Smell? How do you feel? Relax and enjoy these moments;
· Think about something that brings you joy – a person, a place, a wet nose and wagging tail, perhaps. Describe it in words or a picture;
· Before bed, take a minute and think about one moment of the day when you felt happy. Focus on why you felt happy, and if a person shared that moment with you or helped make it happen, thank them.
Why I Like this Book:
This lyrical, low-word count picture book provides the perfect opportunity to exhale and appreciate each moment. With only one phrase per spread, Quintavalle invites readers to slow down, to be aware of our surroundings, and to celebrate the good and the not-so-good. Tanco’s scribbled illustrations drenched in sunny yellows encourage readers to linger on each spread and immerse themselves in the many details.
Maria Popova, of The Marginalian, called Making Space “an illustrated ode to the art of welcoming the unknown.” I couldn’t say it better myself!
For young and old, Making Space is a welcome antidote to the noise that pervades our world and that encourages us to rush through life.
A Note about Craft:
At 56 pages, Making Space is longer than the average picture book, but at 6” by 7.5”, it’s the perfect size for little hands to pick up, carry, and treasure. Perhaps because of its small size, perhaps because of Tanco’s illustration style, or perhaps because of the poetic language, Making Space feels like a child’s diary, thankfully shared with readers.
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 