""Trying to guess what's beneath can be easy."
Grandpa whispered,
"I think she's going to be a mom!
"Other times, what's beneath is a
mystery. I'm not sure what it's
digging for."
The day begins badly. Finn hides under a quilt in the middle of the bed. Grandpa would like to talk about it; Finn does not. Determined that Grandpa will not understand the problem, Finn only agrees to a walk together if the quilt remains in place. Grandpa agrees to remember what is 'beneath' that covering.
Surrounded by forest, the two head into it. When looking at the trees, Grandpa says he always remembers the parts he can't see. What lies beneath is part of what's growing above the ground. As they walk, he reminds his emotional grandchild that what is beneath can be easy to understand, or not.
As they wander with Grandpa sharing his observations, Finn's head appears and interest in what is happening around them sparks a change. As their walk pauses, Grandpa observes that someone who looks like they might not understand is, in fact, someone who feels exactly the same. Things have changed for his young grandchild as they walked. Finn is now ready to share the quilt with Grandpa, and look to the stars while also thinking about all that lies beneath.
If you remember The Rabbit Listened (Dial, 2018), you won't be surprised to see this book is also filled with emotion and understanding. Using digital paint, Ms. Doerrfeld creates a story filled with warmth and heartbreak, shown clearly in the spread where both characters have a broken heart. The final endpaper offers an explanation, with a stitched message from Gramma on the quilt's back.
Beautifully told and illustrated, what a grand way to begin a new publishing season!
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