While You're Away

Starred review from August 1, 2020

Gr 2-4-A picture book reverie about the lives of creatures in nature, untouched by human presence. Readers encounter forest flora and fauna, viewing different creatures' pursuits, scene by scene, as depicted through carefully illustrated possibilities. Bouloubasis's layered mixed-media compositions fill each spread with detail and exquisite subtlety in color saturation. While the creature described and depicted remains the scene's focal point, the surrounding habitat ripples with soft color schemes and bright lines, drawn with varying weight and direction for delightful movement. Masterful color blending and contrast purposefully bring to life the few well-chosen words about the forest creatures, to paint a more complete vision of beauty in nature. Readers will find the time they spend poring over the illustrations may mirror the value of venturing into nature for its marvels. VERDICT This beautifully rendered picture book offers a gentle reminder to appreciate the natural world and its creatures.-Rachel Mulligan, Pennsylvania State Univ.

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 22, 2020
Wild creatures do wonderful things even when no one is around to see them, Papaioannou writes in this meditation on the natural world. “While you’re away from the forest,/ a mother doe might be searching for/ tasty blueberries to feed her fawn/ for breakfast.” Layered artwork by Bouloubasis (The Princess and the Petri Dish) flashes rainbow hues. Doe and fawn are warm orange with lavender shadows; overlapping shapes—darker green for nearby leaves, paler for those farther off—offer a sense of depth and capture the play of light. Some animals enjoy food (“A rabbit might be nibbling on wild pears”), others pursue pleasure (“A lazy lizard might be lying among wild strawberries, enjoying the sun’s warm rays”), and some long for love: “A squirrel might be getting ready/ for the leap of its life to a tree/ where its sweetheart waits.” These “small miracles” happen whether they are observed or not. But, Papaioannou advises, if one is present, “Shh! Just keep/ still and quiet!” By cataloguing small, everyday occurrences, the creators invite readers to imagine, and perhaps to regard, tantalizing moments in nature. Ages 3–5.