"Further into the woods,
where it was hard to tell
the shadows from the
trees, the forest creatures
became less ordinary.
One was a stickler.
Rabbit told it of the quest
for Nana's perfect gift."
If you give a gift from your heart, it is going to be perfect. Although there is no special reason for a gift for Nana, Rabbit wants to find one. A crow willingly offers advice, and explains the gift is not far away. Rabbit is ready to begin his quest. He begins in the forest where he meets the full moon. Moon explains it is there because the sun is shining at the moment. Rabbit tells moon what he is doing. The moon offers a crescent smile; Rabbit explains his nana has her own bright smile.
He walks further, and meets a stickler who offers a stick. He explains that Nana already has a walking stick. Crossing a lake, Rabbit meets a huge fish, who suggests water. Nana has no need for water. The volcano he meets next proposes a temper. Rabbit does not know what a temper is. As his journey moves toward its conclusion, Rabbit comes to a dusty cave that causes a sneeze and a polite response. Having finally reached the place Crow described, Rabbit is captivated by its beauty and the perfection of Crow's advice. His route home takes him back the way he came, and his gift is deemed perfect in all eyes.
Although his gift seems unnecessary when he gives it to his beloved Nana, she has exactly the right response.
Beautifully told with love and humor, this new book from Lane Smith honors the relationships that exist between a grandparent and her grandchild. The artwork was 'painted in gesso, oils, and cold wax drawn with an Apple pencil in Procreate'. As anyone who admires Mr. Smith's talent for storytelling and illustration has come to expect, it is stunning.
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