A Year of Everyday Wonders

Klein (Thunder Trucks) records a year in the life of a child in "firsts": quiet, unassuming anniversaries that will be instantly recognizable to readers young and old. "First day of the new year," she starts, as sweet but never saccharine ink-and-wash panels by Leng (Over the Shop) follow a young child and older brother through the morning: "First wake-up// First waffles/ First fight with your brother." (The brother lets loose a mischievous waffle missile.) Leng dwells on domestic comforts: pots of jam, hot chocolate and blankets, books and plants, attentive parents. Some of the firsts originate in the natural world ("first summer storm"), while others are part of the human world ("first family reunion"). There are bumps along the way: umbrellas new and lost, a familiar tally of sibling tensions ("Ninety-seventh fight with your brother"). Understated, telegraphic humor enlivens throughout, as when the child tries experimenting with scissors in front of the bathroom mirror ("first haircut") and receives a professional touch-up afterward ("second haircut"). Klein's touch is light and Leng's movement-filled vignettes are harmonious as they capture the year in an album whose joys and disappointments become a cyclical, cumulative string of memories. Ages 4-8. Author's agent: Brianne Johnson, Writers House. Illustrator's agent: Justin Rucker, Shannon Assoc. (Dec.)

K-Gr 2--Young elementary readers and budding artists will be drawn to this story of family life, filled with a young girl's memories of "firsts" throughout the course of a year. Leng's effortless watercolor and ink illustrations pair with Klein's spare words on every page, showing the significance of everyday moments as the young girl grows and spends time with her family. The playful, delicate lines and light textures of the colorful illustrations shine in the purposeful absence of descriptive text or sentences, as each gesture and detail drawn gains weighty meaning in its representation of the named moment. Simple curved lines and light washes of color exhibit finesse and serenity in the composition, while the text settles neatly above or beside the scene captured. Not every moment depicts a time of happiness, but the story is made all the stronger as it demonstrates how life is made of many memories including those ordinary disappointments or frustrations, like lost umbrellas and sibling rivalry. Scenes are paired at times to humorous effect, which children will find easily relatable. VERDICT Through detailed visual elements, this quietly delightful picture book speaks to the potential treasure of small moments in childhood.--Rachel Mulligan, Pennsylvania State Univ.