Joy

Fern's elderly Nanna doesn't smile anymore. She's listless and withdrawn, and her once-cheery home now feels gray and dusty. Mom doesn't know what's wrong: "It's like the joy has gone out of her life," she tells Fern. Once Fern understands what "joy" means ("Like when we all dance after dinner?"), she determines to capture some at the local park--a puppy's bounce in a box, a baby's giggles in a can, sun sparkles in a saucepan--and take it all to her grandmother. But joy isn't quite so easily given, or is it? While Nanna does perk up considerably at the end, her initial condition seems so serious that the speedy transformation may leave readers wondering what sent her into a tailspin in the first place. But newcomer Follath's sweet, heart-on-her-sleeve pictures, Fern's sense of agency, and the story's core conceit--that you can't package joy--may strike a chord with readers. Ages 3-6. (Aug.)

PreS-Gr 1--Fern loves Nanna and when it seems that the joy has gone out of her grandmother's life, she decides to capture some and bring it back to her. Heading to the park with her joy-catching kit, Fern experiences several moments where she feels "the whoosh of joy" but finds it impossible to capture. Returning home empty-handed, Fern tells her grandmother of her failed attempts. Upon hearing her adventures, Nanna surprises the child with "the biggest, widest whoosh! of a smile" Fern has ever seen. The story satisfies at this point but continues to an idealistic conclusion. The artwork, done in ink, pencils, watercolor, and digital is captivating. Uncomplicated images of Fern aptly convey her wide range of emotions. The contrast between Nanna's moods is at one point quite pronounced, but Fern's exploits are smile-inducing, with bright rivers of color expressing Fern's delightful joy. VERDICT Cheery illustrations enhance this uplifting story about a young girl and her grandmother.--Gaye Hinchliff, King County Library System, WA