A velocity of being Letters to a young reader

Review by Booklist Review

This is best described by the editors themselves as an eight-year labor of love. This chunky anthology includes letters and art from 121 writers and artists in the form of poems, personal narratives, cartoons, instructions, reflections, and more. Indeed, it breaks all sorts of literary boundaries: genre, form, audience. Contributions come from a dazzling array of people: journalists (Maria Bustillos), radio hosts (Krista Tippet), film directors (Shonda Rhimes), musicians (Yo-Yo Ma), and numerous writers who share their own experiences with reading. Some sought solace, others adventure. Some read avidly as children, others grew to love books as adults. All encourage young readers to linger with stories and be moved by the experiences they encounter. Each narrative is carefully paired with an illustration by an artist selected to bring its message to life. These pairings are at once surprising and inevitable. Christian Robinson's collages depict young Jane Goodall reading in a tree, surrounded by wildlife; Mo Willems' whimsical rendering of a reader complements the posthumous entry of American psychologist Jerome Bruner. Narrative pages include short biographies of the authors, and the back matter provides information about the artists. This should live on the nightstand, be picked up regularly, and savored. A treasure trove for anyone who loves words and pictures.--Amina Chaudhri Copyright 2019 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by Horn Book Review

Edited by Maria Popova and Claudia Zoe Bedrick. This aesthetically pleasing coffee-table book features 121 letters from a wide array of artists, writers, actors, musicians, and scientists, among others, addressed to young people about the influence of reading on their lives. Each letter is paired with an original illustration from an artist or graphic designer. The diversity of contributors and artistic styles elevates this anthology above its many predecessors. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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