PreS-Gr 2—A charmingly illustrated picture book about a young girl who comes to appreciate the importance of family traditions. Grandma wants to teach Rose to weave, but the child has other plans. Accompanied by a pet sheep, she splashes in the river, dances in the wind, and frolics in the rain, as vibrant pen and watercolor illustrations bring her actions to life. Then, after seeing the colorful rug Grandma has created, Wild Rose understands how rewarding learning from her can be. Several spreads of landscapes establish a wide-open, bucolic setting with Wild Rose, Grandma, and their flock of sheep as its only inhabitants. Soft-hued greens, yellows, and blues make this potentially desolate backdrop feel familiar and inviting, even during a brief thunderstorm. Visible pen strokes add texture to the setting, such as the rolling hills or the furnishings of Grandma's cottage. Fun background details—the sheep briefly sporting one of Rose's scarves, Grandma's cat unraveling balls of yarn—will enchant readers. The narrative skillfully employs repetition, like Wild Rose's refrain of "This has got to be better than weaving" as she amuses herself outdoors. However, Grandma's speech about weaving borders on preachy: "A rug is not just a rug….It's a picture of life." This heavy-handed message about the deeper meaning of the craft won't resonate with children, but the warm, appealing illustrations will keep them engaged.—Mahnaz Dar, formerly at Convent of the Sacred Heart, New York City
Wild Rose runs through meadows and rivers, playing with sheep and frolicking in the wind and rain while her grandmother entreats her to learn to weave. When she finally does, she sees that Grandmother has put all of her own experiences into her weaving. Life and art become intertwined in this poetic (if purposeful) book, illustrated with gentle paintings that portray idyllic rural life.
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