Tag: Rebecca Zomchek

Picture Book Review: The Night Tent by Landis Blair

On By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Reviews

Margaret Ferguson Books
18 April 2023
40 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (Owner/​Operator of Only Picture Books) and OPB friend, Rebecca Zomchek.

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

From the first page of Landis Blair’s debut picture book, readers encounter a scenario we all know–a child in bed is uncomfortable when considering all the worrisome things that MIGHT be lurking in the dark. The more he tries not to think about it, the more he does.

Then the child (his name is Watson) notices an odd light coming from beneath the covers, so what else can he do but check it out? Once he ducks beneath the covers, he finds himself under a giant tent where the roof is covered with stars (thus the title, one assumes).

It’s more than a tent, though–there on the ground before Watson is a magical pathway weaving its way to a strange forest. Yes, there are unmistakable Where the Wild Things Are vibes here as Watson encounters creatures among the trees. We already know he’s scared of creatures in the night, so it’s no shocker that he hides at first, but after giving us the ongoing refrain (“and since Watson wasn’t sleepy”), which justifies his decision to proceed each time in the face of potential peril, he joins them as “he ran and played with them along the forest path.”

Despite Watson’s insistence that he’s not tired, he looks sleepier by the page as he gets on a trolley and “traveled through an ancient city, along treacherous cliffs, and over the sea to a tiny island with a very tall tower.” Up he climbs as his eyes droop and his shoulders slump, and then he crawls out from under the cover and is zonked–way too tired to worry about monsters or darkness or anything except sleep.

I’ll let Rebecca explain how the art steals the show here, but I can see where parents might be pleased how this story demonstrates how a child can find their way to sleep on their own. Yeah, it’s Maurice Sendak with kid gloves, but the dreamlike art, gentle mood, and quiet, comforting language will be welcome fare for many families.

4 out of 5 pencils

 

–Rebecca’s Review of the Illustrations–

I first became aware of Landis Blair’s work from his illustrations for From Here to Eternity by Caitlin Doughy. His pen and ink work interested me then as I am a fan of both his style and influences, and I was very excited for the opportunity to see and review his debut picture book.

In a layered style full of strong ink values and hatch marks, reminiscent of both Edward Gorey and Tove Jannson, Blair takes on a night-​time adventure with young boy Watson and how his imagination takes him from being afraid of the darkness in his room into a sprawling Where the Wild Things Are type of adventure through a magical landscape.

Watson tries and fails to sleep while being afraid of his dark bedroom. After discovering a light coming from under his covers we and Watson go on a starlit journey through deep forests, meeting friendly monsters, and traveling down a winding path to a high tower. These are all depicted in cool blues, greens and purples, with pops of muted yellow and black crosshatching applied to add depth and texture. This helps with both the nighttime feeling and both the idea of being outside and inside a dream.

We and Watson discover just how far our imaginations can take us and how the power of creativity and thinking of positive things can help us overcome our fears and find peace and rest.

Blair balances his many armed and mix and match animal/​monsters and darker color palette with whimsy, and inviting smiles, managing to side-​step being scary and creating a world that feels very dream-​like. The story itself is simple and straightforward but is warm and gentle which helps balance the surreal world he creates. Watson also being one of the warmest elements in the books helps draw our eye to him and the many long paths create fun eye movement as you move through the story.

I hope this book lulls many children to sleep while following Watson’s journey, just as it did for him. I also hope anyone enjoying the book is able to twinkle with their own stars when faced with worries and fears, remembering that our thoughts and dreams can be there for us when things are dark.

4.75 out of 5 crayons

Rebecca Zomchek is a children’s book illustrator who has worked as a concept artist and cartoonist. She earned her BFA from Syracuse University and her MFA from The School of Visual Arts; she is now the Associate Dean of Entertainment Design at the Columbus College of Art and Design. Rebecca loves watching the stars and going on adventures through the woods.

Visit her at www.rzillustration.com.

Picture Book Review: Ten Beautiful Things by Molly Beth Griffin

On By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Reviews

Ten Beautiful Things
Author: Molly Beth Griffin
Illustrator: Maribel Lechuga
Charlesbridge
12 January 2021
32 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (Picture Book Reader Aficionado at Only Picture Books) and Ringling College of Art and Design Illustration Professor (and OPB friend) Rebecca Zomchek.

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

Moving to a new home is on the short list of Most Stressful Things a child can go through, and that’s what’s happening with our main character, Lily. The story begins with Gram driving Lily to a far-​off Iowa farmhouse–the child’s new home.

We quickly realize that Lily is going through yet another Most Stressful Thing. Her parents are MIA. It’s never explained why they’re not in the book, but the reasons surely don’t matter. The mere fact of their absence exponentially adds to Lily’s sadness and anxiety.

To pass the time–and take Lily’s mind off her worries–Gram suggests, “Let’s try to find ten beautiful things along the way.”

Lily is understandably reluctant. But, soon, she notices how beautiful things start to appear once you begin to look for them.

A gorgeous sunset.

A wind farm whose “spinning windmill blades gleamed in the morning sun.”

“A red-​winged blackbird perched on a swaying stalk of last year’s corn.”

What makes things interesting and situationally honest is that between these moments where Lily witnesses beautiful things–all wonderfully depicted by the skilled hands of Maribel Lechuga–she slips back to feeling sad and “hollow” inside. The contrast of Lily being gently urged out of her funk by these beautiful moments is well handled, and the more beautiful moments she finds, the less fully and frequently Lily slips back into that place of sadness.

Beauty seems to resurrect her dampened spirits and fortify her. What a lovely idea.

At one point, Gram suggests that a falling-​apart barn counts as a beautiful thing, yet Lily disagrees because it’s not pretty. Gram responds: “We’re not looking for pretty. We want beautiful.” What a great distinction–pretty versus beautiful. I can see how adult readers might have a conversation with a child over what those words mean and why considering their differences is worthwhile.

Without giving spoilers, the resolution to the hollow feeling inside Lily’s chest and the arrival of beautiful thing #10 are emotionally rewarding and earned by the story.  I’m also pleased that the author avoided naming most of the emotions, choosing instead to let art, action, and nuanced dialogue bring those to life for readers. Trust me–they’ll get it.

In Ten Beautiful Things, Molly Beth Griffin has created a touching, quiet book that’s both a nod to the wonders of the natural world and a positive life-​changing journey for a child who has brighter days ahead.

4.75 out of 5 pencils

 

– Rebecca’s Review of the Illustrations–

This book is a visual pleasure and really is full of many beautiful things.

We are presented with a wonderful diversity of times of day, landscapes, and weather, and through these different vistas, the book does a brilliant job of taking us on this journey of not only passing from city into country, but finding our way home.

As someone who grew up in the Midwest and has gone on many meditative car trips, this book was wonderfully nostalgic and felt like such a real time and space come to life on the page. From the rolling fields, to hay bales, to the wind turbines and glowing treetops at sunrise, the land springs to life for us as the day unfolds and invites us along on the visual and emotional journey Lily and Gram are experiencing.

Illustrator Maribel Lechuga has really taken advantage of digital painting’s capacity for texture and has included wonderful movement and light. The clouds swirl and undulate, grass and water flow, and both leaves and birds float in the breeze. Along with our vibrant landscapes, we get wonderful 360° views around the car, both inside and outside, which help to capture the feeling of movement and the inner and outer worlds of a person.

One of my favorite scenes is the rainstorm as Gram and Lily get close to their final destination. The storm is palpable and generates a sense of drama, energy, and cleansing. This moment also creates closeness between the characters, and I found myself drawn into every page, looking at all of the small details and finding beauty in the pebbles and fences and treetops as I remembered so clearly and fondly the places where I grew up.

Lechuga captures emotion even with a relatively simplified character design style. We can feel loss, longing, questioning, and even grief on the characters’ faces (especially Lily’s), but also toward the end of the book we can feel the peace, growth, and love between the two characters as they find beauty together through hard times.

For a book that covers a lot of intense emotions that are not necessarily given names in the text, the illustrations do a fantastic job of drawing us all in and connecting us to the journey–both physical and emotional–that the characters are taking. At the end of the book I, too, was pleased with all the beautiful things I found and felt as I enjoyed this story.

5 out of 5 crayons

Rebecca Zomchek is a children’s book illustrator who has worked as a concept artist and cartoonist. She earned her BFA from Syracuse University and her MFA from The School of Visual Arts; she teaches Illustration at Ringling College of Art and Design. Rebecca likes distinguished things like classical music and museums, but also loves being outside and getting paint everywhere.

Picture Book Review: The Society of Distinguished Lemmings by Julie Colombet

On By Only Picture BooksIn Picture Book Reviews

The Society of Distinguished Lemmings
Author: Julie Colombet
Illustrator: Julie Colombet
Peachtree
1 March 2020
40 pages

This month’s PB review is by Ryan G. Van Cleave (lead lemming researcher at Only Picture Books) and Ringling College of Art and Design Illustration Professor (and new OPB friend) Rebecca Zomchek.

–Ryan’s Review of the Writing–

Is there ever a happy ending for a story about lemmings? Thanks to Julie Colombet’s The Society of Distinguished Lemmings, the answer is now an emphatic “yes!”

This fancy society of lemmings have 10 rules to follow, with #1 being “Lemmings Only” and #10 insisting “No Questioning the Rules.” Not a problem for these rule-​following lemmings! But then lemming Bertie decides to leave the underground burrow because even distinguished lemmings can sometimes get TOO noisy. Once Bertie reaches the surface, though–gets the shock of his small life. He encounters a creature that he suspects is a bear! But Bear isn’t going to eat him–instead, it licks him, and just like that, they’re pals.

Bear doesn’t show interest in any of Bertie’s distinguished activities (painting and playing chess), but Bertie is quite taken by Bear’s most un-​distinguished activities (rolling in flowers, climbing tress, and jumping in mud puddles). When the other lemmings eventually learn of Bear, they are reluctant to let him join their society despite Bertie’s hope that they do so–Bear’s a bear after all, and he doesn’t appreciate the same things that the oh-​so-​fancy lemmings do. “The bear will never be distinguished,” they ultimately decide.

Bertie and Bear are then left behind when the others go on a sudden vacation (the dangerous migration we all worried would come when we heard the term “lemming” via the title). Some extremely fortuitous reading material (a book called A Short History of Lemmings) concerns Bertie and Bear enough such that they rush to the ocean to ensure their lemming buddies are safe. To no one’s surprise, the lemmings aren’t safe–they swam out too far into the deep water and are exhausted. But the distance is easily covered by Bear’s superior swimming ability, and he rescues them all, which earns him immediate entry into the new Society of Distinguished Lemmings…and Bears.

I’ll let Rebecca point out the visual jokes and discuss how the comic-​style multi-​vocal technique works to give voice to the many, many lemmings in this story. Instead, I’ll focus on three aspects on the story side of things.

  1. The wordplay here is fun, with such bear-​adjacent lines as “This is unbearable” and how Bear worries that things are “about to get grizzly.”
  2. The story offers a palatable take on kid topics such as following rules, supporting your friends, and accepting differences in others.
  3. Many of the funniest lines in the story appear in word balloons–kids will likely enjoy reading them, and will note different/​new things with subsequent reads, much like in a well-​done Search-​and-​Find where there’s always seemingly more to appreciate.

In sum, The Society of Distinguished Lemmings is a promising premise that ends up somewhat underdeveloped thanks to convenient moments (the right passage of the right book being read at the right time), a huh? moment (why does lemming Bertie need a book to teach him about a lemming’s penchant for a watery end via a migration?), and a relatively predictable conclusion (strong-​but-​shunned bear saves stodgy/​snobby lemmings). Yet make no mistake–the fundamental concept is fun, the lemming art entertaining, and the sense of play welcome. Taken together, it’s a mostly encouraging debut from French author/​illustrator Julie Colombet.

3.75 out of 5 pencils

– Rebecca’s Review of the Illustrations–

From the expressive and character-​filled endpapers to the illustrated pages sprawling with dozens of ludicrous lemmings, The Society of Distinguished Lemmings is a fun and detail-​filled adventure from beginning to end.

Colombet’s soft style, with contrasting bright-​eyed characters and funny expressions, builds a wonderful bridge between comic and book form illustrations. Her detailed page layouts use speech bubbles to invite the viewer to explore her complex scenes that add to the larger story. Filled with tiny props and dozens of unique characters, these add amusing jokes and side narratives to serious situations and a larger moral.

Despite Colombet’s soft and friendly style, the images are actually quite nuanced.  When we’re first introduced to our lemming protagonist, Bertie, we are shown that he is unique among his compatriots, both because of his open-​minded attitude and his polka-​dotted coat, instead of a traditional striped pattern. This pattern mixing is a nice visual cue of individuality for a younger audience where the other lemmings can blend together, indicating their crowd-​like mentality. In each scene, as we see more of the lemmings and their new friend, Bear, the clear and exaggerated expressions really help communicate the attitudes and emotions of the characters and how they relate to each other as the story progresses. The bear’s expressions, in particular, show a great inner arc that transitions from fear to joy as his friends are rescued, resulting in a happy ending.

Some of my favorite pages are the underground scenes showing the lemmings’ home and the final scene where we see the lemmings and Bear finally relaxing together. I love the way we see dozens of characters on a page, but if we take the time, we can break down each area into unique instances and dramas so each page becomes dozens of moments the audience can come back to again and again. These scenes–filled with tiny chandeliers, dining tables with minuscule cutlery and goblets, concert halls, and portrait galleries–help contrast strongly with outdoor scenes in which we see Bertie and Bear bonding over simpler pleasures. It’s a nice visual resolution to see these two worlds merge at the end of the book in a large outdoor picnic

There are a lot of exciting details for readers young and old to discover on each page of this book. Colombet’s style brings the simple story to life and adds wonderful expression and humor to a profound narrative about learning to stand up to peer pressure, having fun, and being yourself.

4.5 out of 5 crayons

Rebecca Zomchek is a children’s book illustrator who has worked as a concept artist and cartoonist. She earned her BFA from Syracuse University and her MFA from The School of Visual Arts; she teaches Illustration at the Ringling College of Art and Design. Rebecca likes distinguished things like classical music and museums, but also loves being outside and getting paint everywhere.