The young family reaches out in friendship and support to their older neighbor Bob as he grieves his partner of 60 years. Bob grieves, but also responds to their efforts to engage him. 
Grandmother Tais Tais continues to help the young family in home and garden. But to be older is not equated with death. Alongside this passing of time, Ruth’s death is gently shared and the sadness acknowledged. Paj Ntaub’s tiny twin brothers grow older in both the text and the lush illustrations by Seo Kim.
Growth and aging and death are shared as normal and natural. And from her low vantage point drawing on the sidewalk she overhears her mother and Bob talking. We see the progression of four distinct seasons along with her observations of events. Paj Ntaub watches her world through the lens of the big living room window, trying to make sense of what she sees. The author and illustrator adeptly show us a young child’s perspective of events. Here to be older is not simply “old.” All too often in picture books that is the case-“old” encompasses multiple generations. What is most striking is that four generations are clearly delineated-the children, their parents, Paj Ntaub’s grandmother, Tais Tais-who gardens and actively assists with child care, and also their older neighbors Bob and Ruth. ( Carolrhoda Books 2019)īelow are my top ten reasons to read A Map into the World: 
Author Kao Kalia Yang gives us insights into a Hmong-American family and Seo Kim‘s lovely illustrations complement her words.
In this beautiful new picture book “ A Map into the World” we see warm friendships blossom across multiple generations, and across cultures.
0 kommentar(er)
