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How To
This imaginative ‘how to’ book explores whimsical ways of doing a host of different tasks, including ‘how to wonder’, ‘how to see the breeze’, and ‘how to be brave’. With text and images by award-winning illustrator Julie Morstad, this book will be beloved by all ages. How to read this book? That is up to you!
40 pages, Hardcover
First published May 30, 2013
1 person is currently reading
605 people want to read
About the author
Julie Morstad
45 books120 followersJulie Morstad is an award winning illustrator and artist living in Vancouver, B.C. with her husband and three kids. She received her BFA at Alberta College of Art and Design in 2004, and has since produced art for children’s books, CD and book covers, fabric, wallpaper and two animated music videos.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
February 27, 2021
Canadian picture-book author and artist Julie Morstad explores the world of children and the things they do in this imaginative, beautifully-illustrated picture-book. A very simple text, with a brief phrase on each two-page spread - "how to go fast / how to go slow" - is paired with the artist's trademark illustrations, depicting a diverse range of children engaged in those activities...
Although I enjoyed How To, and appreciated Morstad's lovely illustrations, I found that it didn't quite impress me to the extent that I had hoped, when picking it up. I have read and loved a number of picture-books that Morstad illustrated, but this was the first I have read where she was both author and illustrator. There's absolutely nothing wrong here, and I can see this being very engaging for younger children who are in the mood for simpler, more contemplative picture-books, but somehow it didn't strike that particular chord with me, and I ended up finding the narrative rather random, even while enjoying the illustrations, and the playful way they interpreted each "how to." In the end, this is one I'd recommend primarily to fellow Morstad fans, as the artwork is charming, and perhaps also to picture-book readers looking for quieter, less story-based books.
Although I enjoyed How To, and appreciated Morstad's lovely illustrations, I found that it didn't quite impress me to the extent that I had hoped, when picking it up. I have read and loved a number of picture-books that Morstad illustrated, but this was the first I have read where she was both author and illustrator. There's absolutely nothing wrong here, and I can see this being very engaging for younger children who are in the mood for simpler, more contemplative picture-books, but somehow it didn't strike that particular chord with me, and I ended up finding the narrative rather random, even while enjoying the illustrations, and the playful way they interpreted each "how to." In the end, this is one I'd recommend primarily to fellow Morstad fans, as the artwork is charming, and perhaps also to picture-book readers looking for quieter, less story-based books.
December 18, 2016
Hmm. I'm not sure which children would like this. Unlike another reviewer with the same question, I do *not* think it's the one who has an enthusiastic and insightful parent helping him or her to discuss all the activities.
This strikes me as a personal, close-to-the-heart book. A nostalgic elegy. A good book for those of us who didn't have enough friends when we were young, or who grew apart from friends. The children's expressions are unvaryingly wistful, almost melancholy. They are all beautiful, and graceful, and well-mannered, and kind... iow, not real. Even though this is such a very pretty book, I prefer others. For example, consider Ruth Krauss's books, like A Hole Is to Dig: A First Book of First Definitions.
Otoh, I do think the art style and premise is so perfect for us bewitched adults that I cannot bear to give it less than three stars, and I will consider more by the author.
This strikes me as a personal, close-to-the-heart book. A nostalgic elegy. A good book for those of us who didn't have enough friends when we were young, or who grew apart from friends. The children's expressions are unvaryingly wistful, almost melancholy. They are all beautiful, and graceful, and well-mannered, and kind... iow, not real. Even though this is such a very pretty book, I prefer others. For example, consider Ruth Krauss's books, like A Hole Is to Dig: A First Book of First Definitions.
Otoh, I do think the art style and premise is so perfect for us bewitched adults that I cannot bear to give it less than three stars, and I will consider more by the author.
May 17, 2013
This book is simply gorgeous. Nostalgic. Whimsical. Full of wonder and imagination. Simple yet each page begs to be pondered. My favourite page (until I pick a new one . . . ) is How to be brave . . . with the little girl perched atop the red slide.
June 20, 2013
Completely smitten. This is my new go-to comfort book.
July 20, 2015
I read this because I like Morstad's art in Sara O'Leary's wonderful stories When I Was Small and When You Were Small. This has the same great art and is also clever and imaginative in looking at how to sleep, how to wonder, how to feel the breeze, how to wash your socks and so on. Maybe I like the above O'Leary's writing just a smidgen better, but this is also great.
September 19, 2013
This “how to” book does not describe mechanical endeavors, instead it is a luminous look at an eclectic collection of activities. They include how to look like a mermaid, how to see the wind, and how to go slow. Others are straight-forward ideas but the image shows a more inventive solution. How to wash your socks has children dancing in a puddle wearing socks. How to make friends is the cover image of a child drawing people with chalk. The result is a book that is an elegant and lovely exploration of the creative.
Morstad creates beautiful books and this is no exception. Here again she mixes a quiet sense of wonder into the book and combines it with gorgeous illustrations. She uses fine lines, particularly when drawing the children on the pages. Their hair and faces shine with the attention she has given them. The ideas in the book are all creative and inviting. This is a book that will entrance some children while others will be looking for more action.
Ideal for creative children who look at the world from a more whimsical point of view. They will make friends in these pages. Appropriate for ages 3-5, perfect for adults too.
Morstad creates beautiful books and this is no exception. Here again she mixes a quiet sense of wonder into the book and combines it with gorgeous illustrations. She uses fine lines, particularly when drawing the children on the pages. Their hair and faces shine with the attention she has given them. The ideas in the book are all creative and inviting. This is a book that will entrance some children while others will be looking for more action.
Ideal for creative children who look at the world from a more whimsical point of view. They will make friends in these pages. Appropriate for ages 3-5, perfect for adults too.
June 1, 2013
This book was specifically recommended to me by a Goodreads friend and I'm so glad she did! I purchased it and read it, then read again. It's that marvelous, helps get the creative juices going, as I imagine it will be of great value across the grades, for creative writing and poetry. The illustrations are rather whimsical line drawings with a little color, of all kinds of things that may appear boring until one sees the illustration. "How-to make a sandwich is just one example, where several children lie between blankets and quilts on top of each other, hence, a sandwich. I can just imagine this as both a writing and art project, with students doing their own "How-To" illustrations!
March 20, 2014
How to be...a pretty boring picture book.
I don't know that kids would be into this book. Maybe a very imaginative child that was reading this with an adult who could really engage them in a dialogue about the actions described/depicted would like it enough to read it more than once.
As an adult, I can see the value in its slyness. For instance, a page says "how to wash your face," and shows a girl with her face upturned in the rain. Another says "how to be brave," and shows a girl at the top of a very tall slide. These could be fun things to discuss with a child. But will a child pick up this book and enjoy it? I'm doubtful.
Also, some of the illustrations are super creepy. Like "how to stay close." *shudder*
I don't know that kids would be into this book. Maybe a very imaginative child that was reading this with an adult who could really engage them in a dialogue about the actions described/depicted would like it enough to read it more than once.
As an adult, I can see the value in its slyness. For instance, a page says "how to wash your face," and shows a girl with her face upturned in the rain. Another says "how to be brave," and shows a girl at the top of a very tall slide. These could be fun things to discuss with a child. But will a child pick up this book and enjoy it? I'm doubtful.
Also, some of the illustrations are super creepy. Like "how to stay close." *shudder*
August 12, 2017
Miss 3 and I like to explore different books at the library and try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 3 picked up this book. It's a beautiful imaginative book that's more conceptual than text based. For instance, 'How to feel the wind on your face' (riding a book down hill). Miss 3 loves it. You can either simply enjoy the pictures or talk about the meaning and the juxtaposition between picture and text.
Miss 3 picked up this book. It's a beautiful imaginative book that's more conceptual than text based. For instance, 'How to feel the wind on your face' (riding a book down hill). Miss 3 loves it. You can either simply enjoy the pictures or talk about the meaning and the juxtaposition between picture and text.
July 18, 2013
How to by Julie Morstad is a delightfully simple book showing children at play. Each page turn is a new adventure on how to be a mermaid, how to feel the breeze, how to make some music, how to disappear or how to be brave. Gentle but focused illustrations will lead to discussions about how to do many things. You might even be inspired to make your own book with new ideas on “How to” do things.
This one is simply clever.
July 10, 2014
How to is a celebration of how kids look at the world. It might be a fun writing prompt. Or, during read aloud, read the text first but before showing the pictures, have students suggest what the "how to" would look like.
June 7, 2017
5-year-old daughter: 3 stars
April 29, 2018
Beautiful, whimsical. More my jam right now than hers but such a delight and will revisit when she’s bigger too.
November 16, 2022
Simply lovely. A book to be savored. How to make a sandwich and wash your socks made me chuckle. In a word: delightful!
February 23, 2023
the simplicity & essential beauty of this book.
i need this book in my future house.
it's not just for kids.
it's for dreaming,
and remembering how to
go slow
see the wind
disappear
be faraway
wonder
be brave
..and so much more.
i'm in love with this book.
i need this book in my future house.
it's not just for kids.
it's for dreaming,
and remembering how to
go slow
see the wind
disappear
be faraway
wonder
be brave
..and so much more.
i'm in love with this book.
January 28, 2018
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! Our book today is How To by Julie Morstad, a charmingly understated celebration of the simple pleasures of childhood.
Childhood doesn’t come with an instruction manual, but that’s okay – half the fun is discovering the “how to’s” along the way. For instance, how to see the wind? Paper kites and balloons. How to wash your face? Enjoy the warm summer rain without an umbrella. How to go fast? A variety of options: a scooter, dress-up wings, stilts and, of course, simply running free. And so each illustration provides the reader with helpful suggestions on how to feel the breeze, how to stay close, how to be invisible. After all, that’s the fun and wonder of childhood: finding out for yourself how to be happy.
LOVED this. With succinct text, Morstad’s delicate pencil illustrations that utilize detail and negative space masterfully, and a lovely sense of whimsy and wonder, this book perfectly captures the quietly carefree moments of childhood. Each illustration and spread was just gorgeous, employing a multi-ethnic cast of children engaging in play in such a genuine way that young readers will be able to easily identify, and adults will feel nostalgic for their own days of play. There’s a quiet elegance to the entire book, and it was lovely to read. The length is perfect for little ones of any age, and JJ and I both enjoyed it. A delightful look at the joys of being small, and we highly recommend it. Baby Bookworm approved!
(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
May 30, 2013
How To is a gentle book that may be of more pleasure to adults remembering the simple joys of childhood, than to the children experiencing them. Each page illustrates how to do a simple task, such as how to be a mermaid (in the bath, of course), or how to wash your face (put your umbrella down in the rain).
Each page of this book is like a haiku: though the words are short and the illustrations simple, they beautifully capture the essence of an action or idea. As you read, you feel the emotions that each spread invokes: the pile of children and pillows of "how to make a sandwich" remind you of the delights of childhood silliness, while the single braid of two girls' hair ("how to stay close") recalls the security of a best friend.
This book is best suited to contemplative perusing. While it doesn't tell a cohesive story, it would be an excellent book to browse through and discuss with a child. Some amazing conversations could be had about what's going on in each picture, and how else the tasks could be accomplished. Though again, its best purpose may be for adults who want to enjoy a quiet nostalgia for their own youthful days.
Each page of this book is like a haiku: though the words are short and the illustrations simple, they beautifully capture the essence of an action or idea. As you read, you feel the emotions that each spread invokes: the pile of children and pillows of "how to make a sandwich" remind you of the delights of childhood silliness, while the single braid of two girls' hair ("how to stay close") recalls the security of a best friend.
This book is best suited to contemplative perusing. While it doesn't tell a cohesive story, it would be an excellent book to browse through and discuss with a child. Some amazing conversations could be had about what's going on in each picture, and how else the tasks could be accomplished. Though again, its best purpose may be for adults who want to enjoy a quiet nostalgia for their own youthful days.
December 20, 2013
“Play is the work of the child.” – Maria Montessori
There are shelves filled with how to books at my local library. How to change the oil in a car, how to sew a quilt, how to apply make up… These are all jobs for adults. When writing and illustrating a how to book for children, what should be the topic? What is there that children ought to do?
Julie Morstad’s How To is a celebration of play and self discovery. When a child wants to go fast, he might choose a scooter or a pair of stilts. When another child decides to go slow she may quietly lie in a grassy spot and enjoy the flowers and butterflies.
Beautifully drawn illustrations celebrate a diverse group of children at play – flying kites, drawing with sidewalk chalk, hiding, riding a bicycle, drumming on pots and pans and contemplating a steep, high slide. Minimal text and mostly white pages ‘leave space’ for thinking about the illustrations and imagining.
How To has been nominated for a 2013 Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Award.
There are shelves filled with how to books at my local library. How to change the oil in a car, how to sew a quilt, how to apply make up… These are all jobs for adults. When writing and illustrating a how to book for children, what should be the topic? What is there that children ought to do?
Julie Morstad’s How To is a celebration of play and self discovery. When a child wants to go fast, he might choose a scooter or a pair of stilts. When another child decides to go slow she may quietly lie in a grassy spot and enjoy the flowers and butterflies.
Beautifully drawn illustrations celebrate a diverse group of children at play – flying kites, drawing with sidewalk chalk, hiding, riding a bicycle, drumming on pots and pans and contemplating a steep, high slide. Minimal text and mostly white pages ‘leave space’ for thinking about the illustrations and imagining.
How To has been nominated for a 2013 Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Award.
July 24, 2018
A very calming book, not much goes on but it allows a child to just relax and go with a story without too much stimuli. neutral backgrounds keep it calm and the simple sentences make a good closing to what could be an intense story time session.
July 3, 2013
I love it! How to by Julie Morstad (Simply Read Books, 2013) has a non-traditional structure. Each page has a phrase to finish the beginning "How to," coupled with a creative illustration to show how do do that thing. For example, "how to go fast" has a child on piggy back, a child on a scooter, a child with "wings", and a child on stilts. "How to be a mermaid" has a child in a bathtub with legs twisted like a mermaid's legs. The cover illustrations shows "how to make friends." I loved all the analogies, the emphasis on imagination, and the illustrations. I can't describe the illustrations -- they look like colored pen and some watercolor -- but I simply love the innocent look of the children. They are adorable and concentrating as they gaze at me from the page. How to is a book to seek out.
June 13, 2018
If you are in a meditative mood you might enjoy this exploration of different ways to think about "how to" statements. For example, "how to wash your face" shows a girl in the rain, with her eyes closing facing the sky with raindrops coming down, while "how to wash your socks" shows a group of multi-ethnic kids stomping in a puddle with their socks on.
The illustrations, in fine-line pencil with gouache and occasional crayon, are conducive to thoughtfulness because they are spare - the focus is on the children and minimal props to convey their action, the rest is white space.
A quiet, sweet book.
The illustrations, in fine-line pencil with gouache and occasional crayon, are conducive to thoughtfulness because they are spare - the focus is on the children and minimal props to convey their action, the rest is white space.
A quiet, sweet book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2017
I flat out love this book. It achieves simplicity in it's minimalism, yet if you are prone to look for it, it is also complicated. I put this in the meditative for both children and adults. I often look for books that can help with a young loved ones anxiety, but even for myself I feel a wash of calm each time I read it. But it is also for those who thrive in the world of imagination. I don't really want to return it to the library. It's just lovely.
January 5, 2017
(chi)…do many things with delightful illustrations by this author/illustrator. Just a wonderful book to have to share with friends of any age. 2013 hardback via Madison County Public Library, Berea, ; unnumbered pgs.; 5 out of 5 stars; finished 02 Jan, 2017/#1
October 8, 2018
Beautiful. Slow down and explore the ideas.. the illustrations, the creative thinking.. Would be fun to share with K and write our own How-to books.. Maybe a list of how-tos, or maybe thinking of a "new" way to do something that we typically do.
December 21, 2017
3.5 stars
January 12, 2018
I can't express how much I love this exceptional book showing all the "how tos" that kids know how to do.
April 19, 2018
A great book!
July 5, 2018
One of the illustrations looked like Jason Voorhees on a bike.
April 15, 2024
How To feels a bit like a throwback to those early Sendak/Krauss collaborations with very simple premises and lovely art. However I tend to find such books a bit beautiful/boring. On the other hand, with younger kids it can surprise you how much they want slight variations on a repetitive structure.
September 5, 2018
I love the illustrations and the imaginative depictions of getting things done. One page shows a girl dressed in yellow with her face tilted to the sky and it says "how to wash you face."
I'm putting this on my gift list!
I'm putting this on my gift list!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews