Puddle

Description

A surprising, universal, and gorgeously illustrated story about self-acceptance, love, friendship, and the joy of embracing different perspectives, this beautiful picture book by acclaimed author Richard Jackson and two-time Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka presents a puddle with a distinct point of view. Puddle sits despondently in the playground, observing the world around her as she is dimpled by rain, splashed by shoes, piddled on by a poodle, bounced by a basketball, and stirred up by an inquisitive seagull. But when the sun makes a sudden appearance, Puddle meets an admiring new friend who lifts her spirits and makes her feel loved. Richard Jackson's playful text shines with rhythm, repetition, and surprising turns of phrase, and Caldecott Medalist Chris Raschka's luminous paintings achieve the impossible-oh, sweet Puddle! A memorable story of friendship, love, and changing your point of view.

Richard Jackson is the editor of numerous award-winning books, including Yo! Yes? by Chris Raschka; House of the Scorpion, by Nancy Farmer; and Locomotive, by Brian Floca. He cofounded Bradbury Press, Orchard Books, and DK Ink before retiring in 2005 from Atheneum Books. He is the author of Have a Look, Says Book, illustrated by Kevin Hawes; In Plain Sight, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney; All Eyes, All Ears, illustrated by Katherine Tillotson; and the upcoming This Beautiful Day, illustrated by Suzy Lee; Snow Scene, illustrated by Laura Vaccaro Seeger; and A Kiss for Akaraka, illustrated by E.B. Goodale. He lives with his wife in Towson, Maryland. Chris Raschka has illustrated more than 30 books for children. He was awarded the Caldecott Medal for The Hello, Goodbye Window and A Ball for Daisy, and his 1994 book Yo! Yes? received a Caldecott Honor. He is also the creator of the upcoming New Shoes. He was the U.S. nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 2012 and 2016. Chris Raschka lives in New York City.

"Complex and thoughtful. . . .Masterful watercolor and gouache illustrations. . .are enhanced by an effective book design and creative use of fonts. Vibrant, unusual, and beautiful, this deep Puddle 'is, indeed, a sight to see.'" - ALA Booklist (starred review) "A self-conscious puddle. . .finds purpose as she interacts with her environment and reflects the world's beauty while finding her own. . . .Expressionistic paintings, done in watercolor with gouache, play like music. . . .Luminous and lovely, with colors to fill the soul." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "In quirky verse with splashes of wordplay, Jackson gives voice to the emotional life of a sensitive puddle. . . .Raschka paints life at puddle level, observing its surface splashed by raindrops, disturbed by pedestrians, and illuminated by what's above it. . . .Jackson finds a new way to say that anxiety isn't fixed by worrying; instead, sometimes it changes into joy all on its own." - Publishers Weekly "The playfully lyrical text is enjoyably quirky with its hints of rhyme and musical repetitions. . . .Raschka's watercolor and gouache art suffuses the pages with soft, blurred color that contrasts with the more solid figures of animals and kids." - Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "Jackson's lively and poetic text and Raschka's humor-filled paintings help children grasp the idea of empathy and perspective: even a puddle can have its own point of view." - The Horn Book "Raschka's signature nearly abstract gouache and watercolor illustrations transition from gray-blue to a slowly brightening wash of colors as the puddle transforms from despondent to elated, matching the tone of Jackson's jaunty rhyming text. A winsome and uplifting tale of an unusual protagonist." - School Library Journal