Out the Window

by Cybèle Young

Ingenuity saves the day in this cleverly constructed board book! Bestselling author/illustrator Cybèle Young is back with a board book for the very young. The main character of this charming, nearly wordless story is a small unidentified mammal who accidentally loses his ball one day. Too small to look out the window, the little creature is frustrated at first in his attempts to see where his precious ball has gone. But undeterred, he perseveres until he comes up with a solution to his problem, at which point he discovers that an unusual parade is underway. This parade doesn't feature the usual floats and mascots-instead, it is made up of amazing machines and strange hybrid creatures. Our young hero is thrilled, as young readers will be. And best of all? On the very last page of the book, the lost ball is returned to its rightful owner. This leporello-style board book is designed so that the first half of the story focuses on the attempt to see what is happening out the window, while the second half, revealed only when the book is flipped over, shows a wonderfully inventive parade. Despite its simplicity, this is a story with much humor and many surprises. Nearly wordless, it is a book that even the youngest child will want to read independently as well as enjoy with others.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Canada, Animals

30 pages, Board Book

First published September 10, 2013

About the author

Cybèle Young is an award-winning paper sculpture artist as well as an author and illustrator of children's books.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

An undefined creature (I'm calling it a groundhog in honor of the one that's now living underneath my deck) senses that something really exciting is going on just outside the window. Now, if only he/she was tall enough to see out . . .



It's only when we flip the book over that we get to see all the external thrills.



The author's illustrations are simple and adorable. Smaller tots should really enjoy seeing this surprising story again and again.

[Irina Ostapa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A totally out of the box idea for a book. This would be fantastic at the beginning of teaching them about writing stories a little bit differently.

[Angelica Jajeh · Rating 3 out of 5]

2013 Strange concept! Book is shaped like an accordion, and it has illustrations on both sides to show the object leaving out the window, and where it lands on the other side. This would be a free-read book in my library. Picture book genre.

[Evelyn Saidov · Rating 5 out of 5]

FICTION 2014
I thought that this book was very sweet! Its a great picture book that does not really contain any words, but is still understandable through the images. I would use this with younger grades and as a free time book that they could flip through.

[Kid Lit Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

The brown critter is not quite a hamster, a mouse, or a little bear, but no need to fret; he is a cute critter suitable for the protagonist. He or she dribbles the blue-spotted orange ball then tosses it towards the white space. Oh, no! There is a window in that white space and . . . it’s open!

Our cute little critter must be playing ball against an inside wall—maybe from his or her bedroom. The critter accidentally tosses the ball out the open window. Yikes! Now it is lost and I have some questions: Where does the ball go? Does it land or keep moving along? Will our hero ever get his toy returned?

I requested Out the Window. It is not a new 2016 release, but should be a perennial favorite. Out the Window is gorgeous, a fun to read, and will appeal to young children who will love opening a book like an accordion. Once open, children will find the only words in this active story . . .

Originally reviewed at Kid Lit Reviews. To read the FULL review and see interior illustrations, go to: http://bit.ly/OutWindow

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A small animal accidentally throws his ball out the window, and he wants it back. He can see only glimpses of the world outside, but when readers reach the end of the books accordion-file pages, they will want to turn the book around and see what he's been missing. The mixed media illustrations reveal lots of action which he gets to see as well once he drags a chair over to the window. As an added bonus, he gets his ball back. I like the clever way this book has been designed. It prompts readers to think, pay attention, and note that perspective can change everything.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inventive format (accordion board book) and whimsical tale. Nearly wordless (only a few sounds and one statement).

I borrowed the book from the library and it has no ISBN or publication info. I'm assuming it was only the original packaging, which was likely discarded so the book could function physically as designed. But, Young typically publishes out of Canada, so I am assuming this book was originally published there as well.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adorable board book about contrasts, with sparse words but they all have a big impact. Perfect for toddlers just beginning to explore the world around them.

[Cindy Dobrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this inventive book and so did our focus group. Board books just keep getting better and better. Check it out: http://bookends.booklistonline.com/20...

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A humorous and imaginative board book about what happens when a ball goes out the window. A creatively designed accordion book.

[emyrose8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique format... read it accordion-style, front and back.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

clever