If You Come to Earth

Product Description From two-time Caldecott Winner author-illustrator Sophie Blackall!If You Come to Earth is a glorious guide to our home planet, and a call for us to take care of both Earth and each other. This beautiful book is inspired by the thousands of children Sophie Blackall has met during her travels around the world in support of UNICEF and Save the Children. If you come to Earth, there are a few things you need to know . . . We live in all kinds of places. In all kinds of homes. In all kinds of families. Each of us is different. But all of us are amazing. And, together, we share one beautiful planet. This masterful and moving picture book is a visually comprehensive guide to the earth, imbued with warmth and humor, that celebrates the magic of ordinary days on our beloved home planet. An engaging storybook about a single curious and imaginative child Simultaneously funny and touching Carries a clear message about the need to care for the earth and each other Perfect for: Ideal for children ages 3 to 5 years old Resonates year-round as a go-to gift for birthdays, holidays, baby showers, and more A great pick for teachers looking for a crowd-pleasing picture book with lessons about the world for little students Parents, grandparents, and caregivers A new Earth Day book resource for exploring the science and wonder of nature, life, and the universe Add it to the shelf with books like Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers, Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney, The Travel Book Lonely Planet Kids, and Hello, World! by Jill McDonald From School Library Journal PreS-Gr 1-If visitors came to Earth, what would they need to know? A young boy, Quinn, writes a letter to potential visitors in Blackall's stunning new book. Her signature Chinese ink and watercolor illustrations will draw children in for repeat readings to pore over each detail, such as the portraits of people from diverse backgrounds, from a construction worker and a firefighter to Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. Images such as a two-page spread of different types of birds arranged in the shape of a bird invite dialogue from prereaders, expanding their background knowledge about animals, transportation, or kinds of houses. Each page is well researched and inclusive, as Blackall depicts the many different people who live in the world. The inclusivity of various abilities is especially notable, including the American Sign Language alphabet, images of Braille, different types of families, and people using wheelchairs. The author's note tells how she came to know the real Quinn, an Australian boy with dark hair and light skin. VERDICT With its gorgeous and intricate illustrations, this is perfect for sharing one on one, and is recommended for most collections.-Jessica Ko, Los Angeles P.L.α(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. Review “[Sophie Blackall’s] signature Chinese ink and watercolor illustrations will draw children in for repeat readings to pore over each detail. . . . Each page is well researched and inclusive, as Blackall depicts the many different people who live in the world. . . . With its gorgeous and intricate illustrations, [If You Come to Earth] is perfect for sharing.”―School Library Journal, starred review “Blackall writes in honest, uncomplicated prose, her unpretentious statements all the more resonant for their frankness. She covers nearly every aspect of existence. . . . Blackall’s colorful, clever illustrations feel as though she has focused a giant microscope on the planet. You could spend hours poring over the details on every page. . . . [If You Come to Earth is] a sprawling, ambitious take on some of life’s biggest questions.”―BookPage “It’s far and away the best work she’s done. . . . No detail escapes Blackall’s attention, though; close reading is richly rewarded. . . . Though its scope is expansive, “If You Come to Earth” feels, in