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Tuesday, November 24, 2020

Cave Paintings, written by Jairo Buitrago and illustrated by Rafael Yockteng. Groundwood Books, 2020. $21.95 ages 5 and up

"Traveling alone like a comet
to a dim, 
distant star
in the Big Dipper. 
From planet 
to planet. 
Sun to sun."

It's holiday time. That means the young boy, who is our narrator, is lucky enough to be taking his annual summer trip to visit his grandmother's home on Earth. Once aboard the spaceship, he looks out his window at the stars that surround the station where he lives. Those on board, while unlike the boy himself, greet other travelers. 

After takeoff, readers watch as the ship speeds through space, leaving other planets and suns behind. When Earth comes into view, the boy's excitement ramps up. Soon, he will be with his beloved grandmother again. Their summer adventures can then begin, culminating with a visit to a cave that holds secrets in its depths. There, they gaze in wonder at the paintings left by human hands. His parting gift from his grandmother is a box of pencil crayons. On the way home, he uses them to create reminders of the wondrous sights the two have shared during this most recent visit. 

This accomplished and thoughtful team continue to create wonder with their stories. The landscapes of the ever-changing spreads are not only eye-catching, but they are also filled with detail sure to attract attention and hold it. Kids who love books about space will find much to admire here, and will certainly want to share it with their space-loving friends. The story itself is a reminder that things from the past have a way of carrying us forward, under the right circumstance. 
                                                                              

                                                                         

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