Henry & Leo

Author: Zagarenski, Pamela

Edition: Illustrated

Features:

• Harcourt Brace and Company

Format: Picture Book

Number Of Pages: 40

Details:

Leo isn’t just a stuffed toy, he is Henry’s best friend and brother. He is as real as a tree, a cloud, the sun, the moon, the stars, and the wind. But when the two are accidentally separated, no one in Henry’s family believes Leo is real enough to find his way home.         With beautiful mixed-media paintings, the Caldecott Honor–winning artist Pamela Zagarenski explores the transcendent nature of friendship and love. From School Library Journal PreS-Gr 1—In this spare picture book, Zagarenski explores the familiar theme of a stuffed animal becoming real. Leo, a stuffed toy lion, is Henry's favorite. Henry has other toys, for sure, such as a bear, bunny, and fox. But Leo is special, with his glass button eyes and jointed and movable parts, and he and Henry are inseparable. One day the family decides to go for a walk in the woods, and Henry excitedly declares, "Leo loves the woods!" Henry's disbelieving sister scolds him, though, saying, "Leo is a stuffed toy, and toys aren't real!" Henry knows better as they enjoy a stroll through the Nearby Woods. Unfortunately, after a long, tiring walk, Leo is accidentally left behind. Heading out again into the night, the family searches, but the little friend is nowhere to be found. Henry is inconsolable as he lies in bed, but magic is happening in the Nearby Woods. Henry's stuffed toys transform into real animals, and the bear, the rabbit, and the fox guide Leo safely home. The next morning, the family finds him in the garden, looking every bit like a stuffed animal again. However, Leo quietly whispers a real "I love you" into Henry's ear. The full-bleed illustrations are done in mixed media and have a soft, dreamy quality to them. As the people and toys drift between the real world and the magical one, ghostly crowns appear over their heads. The nighttime scenes in the forest contain fantasylike elements, contrasting with the more realistic ones in the real world. VERDICT The stunning, sumptuous artwork and familiar themes make this a serene and satisfying bedtime story for young children, with just the right amount of dramatic tension.—Roxanne Burg, Orange County Public Library, CA

Reviews:

All the Wonders, Best of 2016 Picture Books Amazon, Overall Top 20 Children’s Books of 2016 Amazon, Best Children’s Books of the Year Ages 6 to 8 *

"The stunning, sumptuous artwork and familiar themes make this a serene and satisfying bedtime story for young children..." —School Library Journal, STARRED review

"Little ones will be entranced." —Booklist *

"...hauntingly lovely wordless spreads..." —Publishers Weekly, STARRED review

"Zagarenski's mixed-media, edge-to-edge art is richly textured, jewel-toned, and dreamily evocative, with a delicious sense of mystery and enchantment... Invite young readers to talk about this visual feast for the imagination, and something magical may happen." —Kirkus *

"The interplay between what is real and what is imaginary—and Henry’s thoughts on the subject—will make this a fertile book for children and adults to discuss." —Horn Book, STARRED review

About the Author:

Pamela Zagarenski is the winner of two Caldecott Honors. The books she has illustrated have also been Booklist Editor's Choices, Horn Book Fanfare and Bulletin Blue Ribbon books, winners of Bank Street's Claudia Lewis Award, and translated into many languages. As well as illustrating picture books, she creates paintings and has a gift card line. She lives in Connecticut. Visit her online at pzagarenski.com, on Instagram @sacredbee, and Twitter @sacredbeez....

EAN: 9780544648111

Release Date: 04-10-2016

Languages: English

Item Note: Great shape- pages are unmarked and sharp.Has a remainder mark. Hardcover Used - Like New Ships fast! 2016Illustrated

Item Condition: UsedLikeNew

Binding: Hardcover