Between Two Windows

This appealing story [celebrates] friendship and creativity in a satisfying way. 

A pulley clothesline strung between two city apartment windows sparks invention and friendship for two imaginative children in this art-focused picture book. "One window belonged to Kayla," portrayed with brown skin, who's seen draped over a chair in a pose that speaks of unrelenting boredom. "The other belonged to Mateo," shown with light brown skin, who is slumped just as dramatically over another chair. Though it "creaks and squeaks," the clothesline can carry their drawings back and forth, the two realize. Soon they're trading and adding to drawings of full-fledged fantasy adventures--Kayla's contributions in green, Mateo's in purple, drawn by Morris (Bitty Brown Babe) in an aptly childlike style. Sharing household treats ("When Mateo's mami made pastelitos") provides new ideas ("the pastelito-saurus"). Then Mr. Winston, the handyman, takes the clothesline down ("I'll get this old thing fixed in no time"), and they find a way to take their artwork from between their windows and out into the city. Shared creativity fosters deep bonds and makes bare surroundings more beautiful in this high-energy testament to invention. Ages 4-8. (Jan.)

PreS-Gr 3--Kayla and Mateo live in different apartment buildings, but their windows are directly across from each other. One day, when they are both bored, they find that there is a clothesline on a pulley that will allow them to send things to each other. They both like drawing, so they start creating adventures together on paper. When the handyman in the building takes down the clothesline, the kids have to figure out a new way to share ideas. This is an inventive story about how working together is better than working alone. The artwork, a combination of cut-paper with markers or crayon drawings, is wonderfully effective--the cut-paper is vibrant and full, while the drawings, with an unfinished childlike feel, perfectly convey that this is the adventure that Kayla and Mateo are sharing. In addition to enjoying the story on its merits, readers will be inspired to create adventures of their own. VERDICT A terrific, imaginative piece of make-believe, perfect for a library read-aloud with excellent opportunities for extending the story.--Debbie Tanner

"The setting will appeal to kiddos who have a tough time finding friends outside of school in the city, but anyone can benefit from reading about a friendship forged in an unusual and innovative way." — Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books