Someone Like Me

PreS-Gr 2--This autobiographical picture book follows a gentle series of experiences that led the author to be who she is, "a writer." Speaking directly to readers, she begins with, "If you were a little girl who listened to stories over and over and over." MacLachlan continues in this vein, recounting things that helped make her a writer, including constantly reading, secretly listening to adults from under the dinner table, trying to make her dog and chicken speak, and having a great-grandmother who loved the prairie earth. Sheban matches the author's recollections with graphite, watercolor, and colored pencil illustrations. He deftly makes use of white space, a muted palette, and subtle humor. The picture of MacLachlan moving her dog's lips is guaranteed to make readers smile. VERDICT Just the right amount of text paired with spot-on illustrations makes this a great book for aspiring writers or a lovely read-aloud for anyone. Sure to be popular because of the author's recognition.--Catherine Callegari, Reston Regional Library, VA

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Newbery Medalist MacLachlanas incantatory picture book memoir draws readers in from its first words: aIf you were a little girl/ who listened to stories/ over and over/ and over...a Using delicate shading and pale hues, Sheban (What to Do with a Box draws a girl listening as an elderly woman talks, then shows the child seated at the feet of a man in a feed cap, his arms stretched wide, as if describing a prize catch. MacLachlan journeys through her pasta a girl who read constantly, climbed trees, and tried ato teach her dog to talk by moving his lips like hersaa to see what made her the person she became, who awrites about talking dogs/ and chickens who scratch stories in the dirt.a Shebanas scenes are bathed in golden light, and his faded palette and soft textures evoke a spare upbringing: simple clothing, old cars, a worn-out suitcase. MacLachlan suggests that it isnat extensive travels or grand experiences that make a writer; all thatas needed is the willingness to watch and listen. Ages 4a 8. Authoras agent: Rubin Pfeffer, Rubin Pfeffer Content. Illustratoras agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. (July) Copyright 2017 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

*"MacLachlan journeys through her past—a girl who read constantly, climbed trees, and tried "to teach her dog to talk by moving his lips like hers"—to see what made her the person she became, who "writes about talking dogs/ and chickens who scratch stories in the dirt." Sheban's scenes are bathed in golden light, and his faded palette and soft textures evoke a spare upbringing: simple clothing, old cars, a worn-out suitcase."—Publsihers Weekly, starred review

*"Lovely scenes are balanced with amusing ones, giving this expressive picture book its irresistible, down-to-earth charm."—Booklist, starred review

"When does someone truly learn the gift of writing and storytelling? Newbery Medalist MacLachlan takes her trademark elegant writing to the picture-book level with this semiautobiographical charmer."—Kirkus Reviews