Wonder Walkers, written and illustrated by Micha Archer. Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Random House. 2021. $23.99 ages 3 and up

 

"Is fog a river's blanket?

Do mountains have bones?
Are forests the mountain's fur? 

I wonder.

Me too."

Kids are always wondering. The two kids in this book are keen to share a 'wonder walk'. I wonder what that is. As they walk together in nature, they share the most amazing scenes. The language used by the author to honor and explore their wondering make for a wondrous read. Their love of the natural world they live in is evident in every question they ask so articulately. 

As readers make their way from one stunning page to the next, they will be encouraged to examine some of their own questions about the world. There is mystery everywhere, and the two wanderers take full note of the beauty they are experiencing together. 

"Are 
trees 

the 

sky's

legs? 

Are branches 
trees' arms? 

The two have done this journey on other days. As their day comes to an end, they ponder the moon from their porch, while clad in pajamas. Their question is a delight. 

Radiant, light-infused artwork done 'in inks and collage, using tissue paper and patterned papers, created with homemade stamps' are sure to capture and hold attention as the book is shared. Joyful, beautiful, and imaginative ... what a wonder! 

Be sure to take the time to hear the questions more than once, allowing readers to focus on the things that make them think seriously about the world outside their windows. What an exceptional book this is! It's going straight onto our 'keeper' shelf, right next to Daniel Finds a Poem (2016) and Daniel's Good Day (2019).