What Does the Sky Say?

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Illustrations, Inspiring Text
Review: I bought this book for my niece, but my two-year-old son saw it and now I need to get a second copy. The words are a bit heavy for him yet, but he loved the pictures.

The illustrations in this book are absolutely marvelous. Swirling yellows surrounding a smiling, dancing main character and a beautiful full moon in a rich night sky are two of the illustrations that stand out in my mind. The sky is a backdrop for a little girl's activities, from learning to ride a bicycle to a quiet moment in the night. The layers-deep pictures are what caught my son's eye, but one of the things that I liked about them was that the little girl who is the main character has dark skin, but that fact is not in the least the emphasis of the illustrations or the story. The author and illustrator have made a universal story around a character who does not happen to be white. I was quite impressed.

The words are inspirational, The sky's responses encouraging a child to go out and dance or learn to ride a bike. In the end, the sky says that surely it is big enough that all of the earth's inhabitants can live under it in peace, and on the last page of the main text the reader pictures the little girl being grown up and saying, "I believe...."

The final page of the book shows the text of Psalm 19:1-4a surrounded by the little girl's paintings. This is the only direct reference to a particular religion, the remainder of the book being inspirational and spiritual without being religious. The Psalm text itself speaks of the heavens glorifying the name of God. Personally, I would not have included that text in order to be sure that readers outside the Judeo-Christian world read the book, but it is a lovely Psalm.

This is a beautiful book that children younger than four years will enjoy as well as their older siblings and that parents will enjoy reading aloud.

Rating:
Summary: Tim Ladwig's artwork is as memorable as his subject matter
Review: Nancy Carlstrom's delightful, imaginative, and engaging text perfectly captures the wonder of watching the sky and listening to its many sounds both dramatic and subtle in the changing seasons and in all kinds of weather. Tim Ladwig's artwork is as memorable as his subject matter and perfectly suited capturing the imagination and attention of a child. What Does The Sky Say? is an enthusiastically recommended picturebook for family, school, and community library collections and reading lists for young, inquiring minds.

Rating:
Summary: Takes you to a higher level and makes you feel loved . . .
Review: When I first read this beautiful book, I cried -- not from sorrow, quite the opposite. WHAT DOES THE SKY SAY is extremely uplifting -- a book to touch you deep inside while it gently reminds you of the importance in the heavens. The words are pure poetry, and the illustrations are outstanding. This is a book you'll want to share repeatedly. Your child will agree.

For those who are looking for a simple book to share, WHAT DOES THE SKY SAY is a fast and easy read, but the message is life-long and powerful. Inspired by Psalm 19:1-4a (yet not overtly religious), we witness as girls look to the sky for clues in how to live life.

The sky speaks to all of us through these children and teaches us to enjoy blessings, weather storms, and embrace all that life delivers -- easily understood by the very young, yet a touching lesson for all ages.

Pure joy.