All You Need

Schwartz's poetic second-person text lists life's essentials ("All you need// is a planet to live on// a sun to give you light") while tracing a Chinese child's maturation into a young artist. Debut illustrator Hu's lush, full spreads follow the child and a swallow companion--per an illustrator's note, signifying "a messenger that brings happiness and is a symbol of homecoming"--through seasons and years. Beginning as an infant with their parents, the images show the child's growth into a young artist, who eventually travels to "a land// where you are welcome," learns "words to share your thoughts," and creates a book--whose cover matches the jacket of this volume--that they send to their parents. Words and images gently align (the word warmth against an orange backdrop) in this gentle register of needs that moves through physiological requirements to successful self-actualization. Creators' notes conclude. Age 4-8. (Apr.)

K-Gr 3--Schwartz's poetic text is both profound and simple as it enumerates all that is necessary to thrive from the physical (planet, sun, rain, food, water, sleep, etc.) to the emotional (welcome, love, a voice). It's difficult to believe that a list of such essential matters does not drift into the esoteric, but here they are, as tangible and enveloping as a child's embrace in Hu's watercolor paintings. "All you need is a planet to live on, a sun to give you light and warmth." And then, "You also need fresh water to quench your thirst, and plenty of sleep. Finally, you need a land where you are welcome, someone to watch over you, words to share your thoughts." Hu's scenes are as full of color and light as they are evocative and beautiful. They tell a story within the text of a girl experiencing all of Schwartz's milestones while on her own journey from a childhood in Hunan to adulthood as an artist who ultimately resides in a different country from her family. There are layers of meaning that are apparent only after reading the artist's note; an author's note is also included. VERDICT A beautiful, poetic look at what one needs to live a good life. It can easily be experienced on many levels, depending on developmental stage, and used in writing classes.--Catherine Callegari