Blooming Beneath the Sun

February 18, 2019
Bryan illustrates late-19th-century poems by Rossetti with intricate cut-paper shapes that combine bold images with blazing color. Rossetti’s poems record encounters with nature in cadences and rhyme schemes reminiscent of nursery verse. Some are well-known (“Who has seen the wind?/ Neither I nor you”), while others are more obscure (“I dreamt I caught a little owl/ And the bird was blue”). Bryan creates motion and grandness with cut paper throughout, in one landscape spread using strips of undulating gray to make ocean waves (“The wind has such a rainy sound”). Elsewhere, a peacock displays its tail in full glory, the blue feathers highlighted with red and yellow cut-outs (“The peacock has a score of eyes,/ with which he cannot see”). Exuberant art complements these well-regarded poems, revealing their perhaps undervalued playfulness. Ages 4–8.

March 1, 2019
Adults who fondly remember "Who Has Seen the Wind?" will be delighted to introduce a new generation to some of Rossetti's child-friendly poems. Bryan brings fresh life to thirteen of the 19th-century British poet's least dreary and most accessible poems. Vibrant blossoms on the inside covers hint at the fun inside. This is a celebration of nature and language crafted from cut construction paper. Bryan expands Rossetti's metaphoric images with unconventional color choices that stretch the imagination. For example, the dog in "Pussy Has a Whiskered Face" is tan, pink, gray, and white, while kitty is all the colors of fire: orange, yellow, brown, and red. Human faces are not limited to shades of brown, black, or tan either. The detailed collages add layers of meaning to each short verse. The eight small collages that illustrate "Color" (at just 16 lines, the longest poem) clearly reference each couplet. Regardless of length, each poem is allotted a double spread. Less-familiar poems include "Mother Shake the Cherry Tree," "Peacock Has a Score of Eyes," and "Lie-a-Bed." Carefully placed text guides readers' eyes, and contrasting type colors help both titles and text stand out against the bright backgrounds. From the peacock on the front cover to the daffodil on the back, this visual treat will inspire budding artists and poets. (biographical note) (Picture book/poetry. 5-8)

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April 1, 2019

K-Gr 4-Bryan's vibrant artwork brings to life a collection of classic Rossetti poems that are sure to delight and interest poetry and art fans alike. Bryan's signature collage style is bright and detailed, and works to highlight the poems. The selected poems are accessible to young readers and are reminiscent of nursery rhymes with their easy-to-identify rhythm and rhyme schemes. The subject matter is also familiar, covering dreams, the natural world, and family. Children will be surprised to find that the poetry was written in the 1800s. The detail and careful execution in the cut-paper art are impressive. Young readers will likely find inspiration from both the poetry and the artwork. VERDICT Bryan's lively and colorful artwork makes Rossetti's poetry approachable and enjoyable for all ages.-Ellen Conlin, Naperville Public Library, IL

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