Pillowland

September 1, 2017
Berkner's children's song gets the picture-book treatment with illustrations from Garoche.What kid hasn't made a massive pillow fort and imagined all sorts of adventures? Well, Berkner's premise is that there is a land where everything is made of pillows, and three lucky children get to visit there. (They appear to be siblings, perhaps a blended family: Mom and one girl are black; Dad, one boy, and one girl are white.) The illustrations transition between depictions of obvious imaginative play in a bedroom to a fantasy world and back again at the end, when the parents peek in at the three asleep. Garoche's art consists of photos of papercut artwork arranged in dioramas with some Photoshop details. Reminiscent of Michael Garland's work (though more pastel in color) or that of Elly McKay (though less ethereal), the illustrations are a mixed bag, with layers and hard edges juxtaposed against all the pillows. The king and queen of the song are obviously stand-ins for the parents. Children who know the tune may not sit still for a reading, while those who don't may wonder at the repeated refrain. For Berkner's fans; there are much better books about children visiting imaginative lands. (Picture book. 3-7)

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October 9, 2017
Children’s musician Berkner (We Are the Dinosaurs) brings another of her popular songs to the page, this time serving up a cozy lullaby adventure. The book opens in a lamp-lit bedroom where a girl describes Pillowland to two other children: “All the houses, the buildings/ and the trees/ are made of fluffy pillows that/ are as soft as they can be.” Soon, the children are sailing out the window on the trail of a shooting star, crossing an ocean of feathers to meet Pillowland’s king and queen—who bear more than a passing resemblance to the interracial couple that checks in on the kids in the final scene, back in the bedroom. Garoche (The Snow Rabbit) portrays the children’s whimsical journey in diorama-style scenes featuring cut-paper characters, objects, and buildings; the technique gives the children the look of paper dolls, and fabric elements bring the softness the fantasy setting demands. Sheet music appears on the back cover for families looking to making readings a musical affair. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Jill Grinberg, Jill Grinberg Literary Management. Illustrator’s agent: Kirsten Hall, Catbird Agency.

November 1, 2017

PreS-Gr 2-A creative picture book interpretation of Berkner's "Pillowland" song that follows three small children on a fantastic bedtime adventure. Three children, one Black, the others pale skinned, are snuggled together in a pillow fort with their stuffed animals and cat. As their imaginations take flight, they ride a pillow train, drive a pillow car, and then travel to Pillowland! They meet the king and queen, eat pillow bread and pillow jam, and end with a pillow fight. The final page returns to the original bedroom setting with all three children peacefully asleep with parents looking in from the doorway. The simple yet magical text with the detailed and comforting illustrations make this a phenomenal bedtime book or even an enjoyable read-aloud choice for a more sedate storytime. The chorus of the song incorporates some excellent sound effects ("fly a magic pillow plane, zoom zoom!"), and Garoche's mixed-media illustrations incorporate cut paper, cloth, and light in intricate and magical assemblies. The lighting is especially marvelous with a few spreads featuring a soft warm glow that seems to come from within the paper creations. VERDICT A recommended purchase for most collections, especially those looking to expand their musical or bedtime story shelves.-Laken Hottle, Providence Community Library, RI

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