Deborah Freedman

Picture-book creator Deborah Freedman returns to the form in this seventh title that she has written and illustrated, this time exploring the role of earthworms in the larger ecosystem. Carl is constantly tunneling under the ground, digesting and then casting leaves and dirt, creating a rich fluffy soil. But when a field mouse asks him why he does what he does, and he has no answer, his search for the solution leads to natural disaster. Searching here and there, asking all of the animals show more what his purpose is, Carl neglects the soil, which soon hardens becoming incapable of supporting life. Eventually realizing what he is meant to do, he gets back to work, creating the rich earth that everyone around him depends upon...

Although not my favorite, of Freedman's books - that honor belongs to her lovely This House, Once - I found Carl and the Meaning of Life an engaging and thought-provoking picture-book. Framed in a philosophical light, the story explores the interdependence of all the creatures and plants in a given ecosystem, and highlights the all-important role of a very small and seemingly humble creature: the earthworm. I appreciated the message implicit in the story, while enjoying the story itself, and imagine that many young children will as well. The artwork, done in pencil, watercolor and colored pencil, is lovely. Unsurprisingly, my favorite figure was the beautiful red fox, who can be seen on the cover. Recommended to anyone looking for picture-books with an ecological theme, that explore the interdependence of all life. show less

Enthusiastic Frog interrupts his friend Mouse one morning, and commandeers her storytelling process, making a big mess - both physically and in terms of the narrative - in the process. Mouse finally has to put her foot down, and take control of the story again. But is there a way for these two friends to tell the story together...?

An entertaining meta-fictional tale, By Mouse and Frog reminded me a bit of books like Mélanie Watt's Chester, in which a cat character commandeers the author's show more story about a mouse, or Snappsy the Alligator Did Not Ask to Be in This Book by Julie Falatko and Tim Miller, in which the eponymous alligator argues incessantly with his narrator. When done well, this sort of thing is quite amusing, and Deborah Freedman's effort is quite well done. I liked the message, highlighted in the resolution of the tale, about balance and compromise in both play and storytelling. I also liked the artwork, which was by turns humorous and cute. Recommended to anyone looking for children's stories about storytelling, or compromise in friendship, as well as to anyone who enjoys more meta-fictional picture-books. show less

Shy loved stories, and he loved birds. He especially loved stories about birds. Having never heard a bird's trill in real life, but only read about them in the pages of his beloved books, Shy is delighted when one flies by, and sets out to follow him. Will he succeed in making contact with this enchanting avian stranger, or will he prove too shy...?

A sweet picture-book tribute to shy bookworms everywhere, Shy pairs an engaging tale, one which will keep young reader/listeners guessing as to show more its eponymous hero's identity until the end, with lovely artwork that captures the beauty of the world, both real and imagined, around Shy. Recommended to anyone looking for stories that offer affirmation to shy children, and encouragement to the idea of venturing out into the world and making friends. show less

An almost-perfectly realized barnyard painting sits waiting for its final touches, when one of the chickens depicted therein breaks free and decides to help, upsetting the pot of blue paint in the process, and coloring everything the wrong shade. Can she set things right, when all of the other creatures come complaining...?

A meta-fictional barnyard tale, Blue Chicken is a book I found more appealing from a visual perspective, than from a textual one. In fact, I think it would work quite show more well as a wordless picture-book, so clearly do the paintings communicate the story of the chicken and her accidental experiment with the color blue. That said, this was still an engaging title, one I would recommend to young would-be artists, as well as to those looking for picture-books of a meta-fictional nature. show less