Cynthia Rylant

"Life begins small," the narrator informs us at the opening of this lovely, contemplative picture-book exploration of the beauty, the struggle and the wonder of... life. The narrative is simple but powerful, offering observations and insights that work to make the reader consider life as an overarching concept - life on earth, let's say - as well as an individual journey. After all, life may begin small, but it grows...

With a wonderfully poetic text, one that celebrates all life, and show more beautiful artwork, Life is a beautiful book. As always, I am struck by the immense skill it takes to pen a narrative so spare, and yet so evocative and powerful. Cynthia Rylant's text is well matched by Brendan Wenzel's artwork, which is sometimes reminiscent of the colorful work he did in such titles as Some Bugs and Some Pets, but then retreats to more somber tones, when depicting a little blue bird lost in a storm, or flying through an immense wilderness. Words and image work together here, as they do in the best picture-books. Less of a story than it is a poem, I'm not sure to whom I would recommend this... perhaps those searching for more philosophical picture-books? show less

My new favorite beginning chapter book series. I must have read the first one, Gooseberry Park, years ago, but I didn't remember it well. This third one is delightful with quirky, warm characters and illustrations. Kona the chocolate Lab is steady, loyal, and true. Gwendolyn the hermit crab is wise and gentle. Murray the bat is hilarious and loves donuts - and pizza, and Chinese food, and everything. I also love Murray's brother, Morton, whose home is a "perfectly arranged, show more one-with-the-universe Zen sanctuary in a tree" Ms. Rylant uses humor and emotion so well. The animal characters are the stars, but Professor Albert is well-rounded and kind, too. The professor named Kona after his favorite coffee and got him because he knew he needed to get out in nature more, being a bookish, nappish sort. Eleven chapters of pure joy. I can't wait to re-read the first in the series, and I missed the second one and have that to look forward to. I hope more gentle adventures are forthcoming. show less

A young Appalachian boy named Frankie hopes every year that the Christmas Train—a train traveling through the coal towns of the region each holiday season, dispensing gifts to the children from a wealthy man once helped by the local people—will bring him a doctor kit. Each year he is disappointed, receiving other toys, as well as warm winter items like socks, mittens hats and scarves. Eventually, many years later, when Frankie is grown and living far away, his memories of the gifts he show more received, and his own desire to give back, lead him to return to the town of his youth, to become the local doctor...

Originally included in author Cynthia Rylant's 1987 holiday collection, Children of Christmas: Stories for the Season, and then republished in this picture book edition with the artwork of Chris K. Soentpiet, Silver Packages: An Appalachian Christmas Story is an engaging tale that addresses a number of important ideas and themes in an understated but moving way. There are the obvious ones, of course, from gratitude to the idea of giving back, especially when one has benefitted in some way from the generosity of others. But there is also the notion of gifts sometimes not being what we want so much as what we need—a reality we may not perceive until much later in life—or of our heart's desire (in this case, Frankie's attraction to medicine and healing) being something we ourselves must seek, rather than being something which can be given to us. The accompanying artwork here, done in gouache, is lovely, and captures the wintry Appalachian setting well. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for Christmas stories set in Appalachia, or addressing themes of gratitude and giving back to one's community. show less

I am in love with Kona the chocolate Labrador. I want a dog that loves me like Kona loves Professor Albert and Gwendolyn the hermit crab and all of his friends. Arthur Howard's lovingly goofy illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to Cynthia Rylant's comforting, just-the-right-amount of-humor prose.