The world is a treasure awaiting each new generation of explorers. But every young explorer finds places that are especially magical to them. Some are discovered by those who venture far away, some are found by those who examine the mysteries around them, and some are even created by the adventurers themselves.
These beautiful and poetic picture books peek into magical places of all sorts, from couch-cushion forts to desert wonderlands to special refuges — and even home itself.
___
The luscious feeling of a fort to nestle in, alone or with a trusted friend, away from everything: Katie Venit and illustrator Kenard Pak revel in it with “Forts.” (Viking Books for Young Readers)
“Forts” by Katie Venit, illustrated by Kenard Pak. (Ages 3-7. Viking Books for Young Readers. $18.99.)
There is no better feeling than finding perfect hideaways, “tiny worlds within this world, safe as coat pockets.”
“Forts,” gorgeously illustrated by Kenard Pak, explores the allure of special spaces, whether they’re nestled in tree branches or constructed from couch cushions. They’re perfect for sharing with a special friend — or retreating into when “the world is too bright, too loud, or too peopley,” perhaps with a beautiful book like this as a companion.
___
“There’s No Place Like Gnome’s” by Scott Magoon. (Ages 4-8. Viking Books for Young Readers. $18.99.)
Gnome is most certainly not “your garden-variety garden gnome.” In fact, he runs a secret hotel where small animals can take refuge when they need a safe place for a night or two.
All is peaceful and calm — until the humans go too far and cut down an entire forest, sending everything from bugs to bears to Gnome’s place. “Suddenly, Gnome had a big problem on his little hands,” and it gets even worse when a storm wrecks his hideaway.
Fortunately, though, he and his friends find a way to work together to make sure that he has a special place — and that his wild friends have their own magical places as well.
___
In “Sundust,” Zeke Peña explores the extraordinary nature of borderlands, where differences meet: civilization and wild, reality and imagination. In his desert, rocks “sit around all day, listening.” (Kokila)
“Sundust” by Zeke Peña. (Ages 4-8. Kokila. $19.99.)
Overflowing with mixed-media illustrations that glimmer and glow, Zeke Peña’s tale of adventure is all about the magic of a borderland — the border between civilization and wilderness, between reality and imagination.
Following a brother and sister over the rock wall into the desert wonderland beyond their yard, “Sundust” explores “the galaxy at the end of our street,” where hummingbirds zip, a prickly, ancient nopal blooms, and desert rocks “sit around all day, listening.”
___
“The Other Side of the Rocks” by Nahid Kazemi. (Ages 5-8. Enchanted Lion Books. $19.99.)
An average frog might be content to sing and swim in her own little pond, “in a world of frogs.” But Froggy is open to the advice of a wise fish and begins “daydreaming about the world beyond” until she can’t resist going on an adventure to a distant land filled with new sights and new friends.
Inspired by the verses of Rumi (and the author’s own “leap into the unknown” as an immigrant), this shimmering story of finding new inspiration in a new land depicts both the excitement of new discoveries and the tenderness of a lingering connection to home.
Caroline Luzzatto has taught preschool and fourth grade. Reach her at luzzatto.bookworms@gmail.com.
