Alive

Gr 1-4–This uplifting Dutch import seeks to answer big philosophical questions. Encouraging kindness, love, and connections between all things and beings, the narrative is spiritual without adhering to any specific belief system. Pages are devoted to appreciating the natural world, coming to terms with death, and understanding unspoken communication. With so much to ponder, this book may not be intended to be read all in one sitting. A helpful table of contents guides readers toward topics like “What should I do when I feel bored?” and “I’m afraid sometimes. What can I do?” The answers to these questions are sometimes abstract (“Always be as free as a bee”) and sometimes practical (“...you can draw or paint your monsters and fears on a large piece of paper… then tell them to go away as you crumple or stomp on them”). Complementing the conceit that the book is authored by “a little kid who had so many questions,” lively mixed media illustrations are rendered in a rustic style, as if drawn by a child. Human characters are depicted with a range of skin tones, ages, body types, and physical abilities. One boy, barely a thin white line against a dark blue sky, is like a constellation, wearing no clothes, to express how the universe is within. It’s perfectly appropriate. The narrative concludes with a “letter from every child to every parent,” which calls adult readers to encourage their child’s self-expression.