Five Stars

I received The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo in the mail today, and like every book I first get, I examine it carefully and slowly to get just enough of a taste to make the passage into the night's read exhilarating.

I sat on the couch, opened the book. I looked at the front cover and read the back cover then I opened it to marvel at the first picture. I read the Copyright then turned the pages to Chapter One. That was the extent of my intent until nightfall.

Two hours later, however, having sunk deep into the comforts of the cushions on the couch I was sitting, I closed reluctantly the last page in the softbound book that pulled me inside and that had shutout my world.

This book cries out to be read, not just by the children to who are the intended audience but also by the adults with whom the message can be fully understood.

The pictures capture the reader, and one can hardly set eyes on the words between them, for joy of the visual that the artist Bagram Ibatoulline has gifted.

Everything about this book is alive from the very first word to the very last illustration.

The only thing I have to say about this book is: I will never look at another child’s doll or stuffed animal in the same way again.

Freaking awesome!
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