a house that once was, written by Julie Fogliano and illustrated by Lane Smith. Roaring Brook Press, Macmillan. Raincoast. 2018. $26.99 ages 5 and up

"Tiptoe creep
up the path
up the path that is hiding.
A path that once welcomed.
A path that is winding.
A path that's now covered
in weeds.
At the front of the house
the house that is waiting
there's a door that is not
really open but barely ... "

Two youngsters are out on an adventure when they walk up to an old and abandoned house. A winding path through the woods leads them there. Who lived there? What is it like inside? Luckily, a glassless window allows entry; the children make their way inside. They whisper as they go, while knowing no one would mind if they talked. And they continue to wonder about many things.

"Who was this someone
who ate beans for dinner
who sat by this fire
who looked in this mirror?
Who was this someone
whose books have been waiting
whose bed is still made
whose pictures are fading?"

So many questions, asked directly of those reading the pages of a book meant for the senses. I love that we see the present in contrast to what the children imagine of the past. The change from one technique to another represents those changes. Mr. Smith explains:

Lane Smith's illustrations 'were done in two different techniques. The "present day" illustrations were made with India ink, drawn on vellum with a crow quill pen, then pressed while wet onto watercolor paper creating a blotted line effect. The colors were painted in oil over gesso then scanned and added digitally under the ink-line. The "imagined" scenes were painted in oil paint on hot press board and scanned along with paper collage elements that were combined digitally."

How I wish all books included the artist's choices for design and media! 

No longer a home, but with stories to tell. A house that once was, indeed! Read this book once, and then again and again. Each time, you will notice more, be inspired by the rhythmic language and the understanding the author has for inquisitive, imaginative children, see the beauty in the endpapers and note the changing font color while being aware of the bluebirds that accompany the young visitors.