Sidewalk Chalk

by Jen Fier Jasinski, Lea Marie Ravotti (illustrator)

PLINK. PLUNK. CLATTER. CLUNK!

Imaginations soar when a group of neighborhood children scritch, scribble and scrawl in a rainbow of colors, crafting lovely works of art. But one little girl watches from afar, unsure how to contribute her own colorful creations. After gathering her courage, she misses the chance to grab the last piece, until a familiar face shows her how to draw with nature's chalk - a soft piece of rock. But then raindrops begin to fall and time is cut short, causing the lovely colors to fade into memories. In the morning, a new day begins, and the girl leads the way in welcoming a new friend to this creative community.

SIDEWALK CHALK combines spare text with gorgeous illustrations in a story that is bound to delight readers of all ages. Using soft, but vibrant colors, the illustrations complement themes of inclusion, friendship, and determination. It's a perfect fit for elementary art teachers, librarians, community centers, and snuggle times at home.

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Childrens, Juvenile, Friendship

32 pages, Hardcover

Published September 23, 2025

Reviews

[Emily Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprisingly perfect at first read. Still processing it. Few words, profound opportunity for talking points. Could read this again and again with my 4 year old and talk about different aspects.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Told largely in onomatopoeia, I found the story a bit oblique.

A shy girl wants to join the neighborhood friend group as they draw with sidewalk chalk. When it doesn't go the way she wants, she uses her super powers to draw down a storm to wipe away all their work -- though it might have just been a symbolic coincidence, I suppose, but that interpretation is sooo much less interesting. With the slate wiped clean, she is then able to get off to a better start the next day, joining and maybe taking control of the group just as another new kid arrives.

Or something like that.

I really didn't get it or care about it.

Nice art though.


Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through the LibraryThing Early Reviewers program.

[Emma VanOrd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Gnome Road Publishing for the ARC. The illustrations are vibrant and awesome, just like sidewalk chalk! the description of the book says a new neighbor is shy and the book is about welcoming them. I didn't really get that vibe from the book. it just seemed like the neighborhood got together, it wasn't made known about a shy neighbor. I do like the Onomatopoeia, it really made it seem like I was there. I do with there was some dialogue in it though. This was a good book, just would suggest a few minor tweaks for it to be even better!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a bucket of chalk, everyone draws and the neighborhood is made beautiful before and after it rains. A fun book filled with simple words and drawings.
The illustrations by Lea Marie Ravotti are simple, colorful, and fun.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school, waiting room or your local public library! Pub Date Sep 23, 2025
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected galley proof from Gnome Road Publishing via NetGalley. ***** review #goodreads #storygraph #NetGalley #librarything @waterstones #NetGalley #SidewalkChalk by @jenfierjasinski and illustrated by @leamarieravotti @gnomeroadpublishing #KidsBookstagram #kidlit #RaiseAReader #childrensbookillustration #fun @childrensbookcouncil #bookshop_org #bookshop_org_uk @indigo #picturebooks #kidsbooks #drawingwithchalk

[Beau Manglass · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am reviewing an ARC I received via NetGalley.

Two stories are told simultaneously in Sidewalk Chalk: in the more surface-level narrative, a group of children use a big bucket of chalk to decorate the street in their neighborhood. When rain begins to fall their creations wash away and they are deterred for the day, only to come back the next day with renewed creative spirit to do it all again. In the more subtle story (which is told via illustration only, and will reward observant readers,) one girl tries to join in on the chalk fun but is intimidated by the large group of kids and has a hard time claiming a piece of chalk before they are all snatched up. By the end of the story she has discovered that she can use a rock to create art on the street just like chalk, and is encouraging the group to welcome a new kid who has just moved into the neighborhood and is feeling similarly shy.

The writing heavily features onomatopoeia and uses single words and phrases rather than full sentences, making this a book that rewards slow reading and observation to take in both the poetic language and also notice the elements of the story that are not being told through words. Speaking of those elements, Ravotti's bright and bold color palette reflects the joy of chalk art, while the digital art medium allows for brushes and lines that imitate the chalk art of children as well as blurring effects when the rain arrives to wash the art away. I do feel that drawing more attention visually to the subtle story would have helped more readers notice and understand what is going on. I wish that the kids who are reluctant to join in were highlighted a little more visually, whether with shading, line wait, or separating them a little bit more from the rest of the kids compositionally.

This is overall a charming picture book which would be great for kid with strong intuitive reading skills, or even to aid in developing those skills. It would be a nice resource for educators looking for a work which requires careful reading and visual analysis. I do think some of the elements of the story could be lost on some readers.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

In one neighborhood, sidewalk chalk is the way in which the children find common ground with one another. Working together, the youth transform the visual aspect of their neighborhood with colorful chalk and designs, but drawing with sidewalk chalk is not always as easy as it appears. When designs do not work as expected or rain threatens to wash everything away, it is easy to become frustrated with the process. But with a little bit of tenacity and collaboration, the children are able to try again to make the visual masterpiece of their dreams. This charming and detailed picture book utilizes illustrations as the primary medium of telling the story. Featuring a variety of skin tones and abilities, the children in the imagery reflect a broad spectrum of society all living and working together in harmony. Many hues are also used in the illustrations, effectively reflecting the range of color found in many sidewalk chalk collections. The text itself features predominantly onomatopoeia to punctuate the images, inspiring further discussion and reflection to supplement the narrative, sound-centric aspect of the story. Utilizing only one or two words at a time, the narrative also manages to describe feelings of joy, frustration, and camaraderie in a succinct yet lyrical manner. Together, the text and illustrations tell a story of community support and resilience that is inspiring to readers of all ages. This is a beautifully illustrated addition to library collections for young readers.

[Kay Hertz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A visual treat with a beautiful message.

Overall: 3.5 ⭐
Plot/Lesson:° 3.5📍
Illustrations: 5 🖌️
Suggested Ages: 0 - 3 y/o

"Mom's" Review:
The illustrations are definitely the focal point of this beautifully drawn story! I enjoyed the use of sound effects (onomatopoeia) and single words emphasized in the story - great for vocabulary building with the littlest of littles.

Personally, I'm not quite sure the "story" as laid out in the overview came through as clearly as this talented author/illustrator team intended. It took me a minute to realize the rock was being handed off, that the focal point of the story shifted to a new person, or that The Little Girl initiated or organized [the final effort, don't want to spoil the story🙃].

Still, it's visually stunning!! 3 and under will probably be more then willing to sit and point out all the lovely details. Think "Good Night Gorilla" or "Carl's Afternoon in the Park" but set in an idyllic pre-screen-era neighborhood with all the kids playing together. Nostalgia and inspiration rolled into one!

A's Review:^
(Coming soon!)

C's Review:*
(Coming soon!)

A HUGE thank you to NetGalley, Gnome Road Publishing, Jen Fier Jasinski, and Lea Marie Ravotti for the opportunity to review this ARC!

All opinions are our own.

° - Our Plot/Lesson rating is how well the kiddos picked up on the morals/lessons learned or well received the facts were.
^ - A: "Ready to Read" level 3, voracious reader
* - C: learning her letters, but memorizes stories well

[Shan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book! Right off the bat, I want to note that I think this book would be more meaningful to a "younger" young audience, due to the simple and minimalist writing choices. This book is especially useful introduce little ones to various literary devices, mainly alliteration and rhyming. What's even better is this book encourages kids to come out of their shells and engage in their own communities and with the people around them. I can't stress enough how important it is to get this point across to kids. The author did a great job of conveying this through a fun writing style and design, but the author did a fantastic job of really working together with the illustrator. It was clear that the two complemented each other, and having the visuals with the words be so intertwined was a highly effective tactic. Lastly, the illustrations on their own were stunning! I loved how the illustrator captured the wonder, creativity, and exploration that comes with playing with sidewalk chalk. Bravo!

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

My grandkids love drawing with sidewalk chalk, so when my two youngest saw this book, they wanted me to read it to them. It is a story about a shy girl who is new to the neighbourhood. She wants to join in with the fun, where all the other kids are drawing with chalk. There is none left for her, but she learns that she can use a rock to draw. When it rains, all the pictures are washed away, but the next day the kids are all back. With another new child joining in, the young girl invites her to participate. My grandkids didn't really get the story until I questioned them and asked what they thought was going on. The youngest one had lots of ideas, some a bit off the wall. There were very few words with this story, but I did like how the author used onomatopoeia, to let the readers experience the story. For us, the best thing about this wonderfully illustrated book was the pictures, which we spent a lot of time looking at and talking about.

[Deanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sidewalk Chalk by Jen Fier Jasinski, illustrated by Lea Marie Ravotti, is a rhyming picture book celebrating creativity, community, and chalk art. The story follows a shy girl who wants to join neighborhood kids in creating colorful drawings. Jasinski's lyrical text captures imagination and collaboration for young children but may not appeal to those over 5 due to its simplicity and short length.
The illustrations are detailed and complement the concept of transforming sidewalks into narrative landscapes. The book explores the idea of finding one's place in a group and includes references to the protagonist’s emotional experiences. Suitable for parents and teachers promoting outdoor play and creativity, this book can be a valuable addition to any picture book collection. Thank you NetGalley for this advanced ARC for an honest review.
I would give this book a solid 3.5/5

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Sidewalk Chalk" by Jen Fier Jasinski explores the whimsical and fleeting nature of childhood creativity. Through vibrant imagery and playful language, the poem captures the joy of drawing vibrant scenes on concrete canvases that are soon washed away by rain. It serves as a reminder of the beauty in impermanence and the innocent imagination of youth. Jasinski paints a vivid picture with her words, describing the chalk drawings as a kaleidoscope of colors that dance across the pavement. The imagery evokes a sense of wonder, as each stroke of chalk brings to life fantastical worlds filled with imaginary creatures and vibrant landscapes. The author skillfully contrasts these lively scenes with the inevitable arrival of rain, which gently washes away the artwork, leaving behind a blank slate for new creations.

[Joey Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Gnome Road Publishing and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.

A group of children come together to draw and create art on the sidewalks of their neighbourhood. So very cute, a lovely rhyming picture book, it was incredibly simple but very effective at sharing the story.

I loved looking at the illustrations they were really sweet, from the cuteness of the children all creating their art, to their sadness at the weather ruining their work. Then to starting again next day, including new friends. I also loved seeing all the art the children made throughout it was so very adorable.

This is a really precious book, perfect for young readers, it’s a sweet and easy read, the illustrations are beautiful to look at and it’s got a sweet story of inclusion and kindness along with imagination and creativity.

[IaMeganF aka Booksinthebackseat · Rating 5 out of 5]

⸻

Sidewalk Chalk is pure sunshine in book form! ☀️🖍️ The illustrations by Lea Marie Ravotti are absolutely stunning—bright, whimsical, and full of life.

This book took me right back to those carefree summer days when all the neighborhood kids would gather and turn the sidewalk into our own storytelling stage. There were no limits—just chalk, creativity, and endless imagination.

I loved all the onomatopoeias sprinkled throughout—I couldn’t help but say them out loud (with dramatic flair, obviously). Kids are going to have so much fun with this one, and grown-ups? Prepare to smile the whole way through.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Gnome Road Publishing for the ARC! This book is a total joy. 💛📚

[Reading Adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love books that inspire our creativity and this wonderful story sure did. So vibrant and full of color and diversity the illustrations bring this story to life for us. We follow a little girl who doesn’t know quite how to join in the excitement and fun while everyone gets creative with their chalk. She also learns how to use nature to add to her creativity. After rain comes and fades their art away the girl leads her new friend and more in getting creative and having fun.
A delightful way to tell a story. I love the messages of creativity, friendship, courage and inclusion. My little ones loved seeing the creations and all the friends.
Enjoy this colorful story with your little ones.
A sky full of stars🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Gnome Road Publishing through NetGalley.
I love the onomatopoeia used to tell this story. Jasinski shares the entire book using words readers can hear. The brightly colored illustrations capture the joy and art created by these kids. When rain washes away their designs, they gather again the next day to draw some more. At this point, readers see a shy child lead the way to making a new neighbor feel welcome. I wish this part of the story had been clearer to match the blurb. Some young readers may miss the nuances. However, this won't stop them from appreciating the joy shared in this story.

[Suelibevg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated story with very few mostly fun action words. Cleverly hidden pictures will make this a hide and seek book as well. The words describe neighborhood children using sidewalk chalk to draw pictures until a thunderstorm washes it away. A girl watches from the sidelines but the rain washes away her chance to join in. The next day, she leads the way welcoming all to join in. A soft piece of rock also is used as a drawing utensil.
My 4 year old grandson said he liked it. Recommended.
I requested and received a review copy from Gnome Road Publishing. Publication date September 23, 2005.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This picture book has bold, colorful illustrations. The pictures, as well as onomatopoeia in the text, tell a simple story about neighborhood kids playing with sidewalk chalk, losing their work after a rainstorm, and playing again. Observant readers will pick up on the message about including newcomers in play, but the book doesn't spell out much of anything. That makes it a little abstract for the youngest crowd, while the story is too short and simplistic to appeal much to elementary-aged kids.

I received a temporary digital copy through NetGalley, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Ashley Healey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGallery and Gnome Road Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Light, short story of community and finding one's place in the group. A lyrical text with few words (would be great for an onomatopoeia lesson) with much of the story told through the pictures. With so few words, it might be hard for a read aloud, but I could see a lot of our early readers enjoying listening to it and then reading it independently. The pictures are pretty and would likely inspire fun, collaborative chalk art among readers.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful and charming book depicting children’s creativity and welcoming spirits. A shy girl finally gets up the courage to join in creating chalk drawings, but the last piece is snatched before she can get to it. Another child shows her how she can use an alternate method. This kindness gives her the courage to try again the next day and pass the kindness forward. The sparse text and colorful drawings combine to offer a subtle message of inclusion and collaboration. A perfect read at any time of the year, especially when accompanied by a box of sidewalk chalk.

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The language of the sounds of children playing in a neighborhood, sidewalk chalk allowing them opportunity for working together, and rain washing it away could have ended with sadness. Instead it ends with hope and wonder and togetherness as they use the chalk, again. Illustrations by Lea Marie Ravotti are heartwarming as the words by Jen Fier Jasinski include Redo. Refresh. Rethink. Retry after the rain. I absolutely loved the diversity of the children in this book! I think many of my youngest readers and my special needs readers of all elementary ages will find joy in this book.

[Vanima León · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sidewalk Chalk is such a fun book to read. The illustration by Lea Marie Ravotti are magnificant.

Sidewalk Chalk takes me back to the days where all the kids in the neighborhood would come and create out drawings. There wasn't a limit to what story we wanted to tell. This book is made me smile with all the onomatopoeias. I had fun making all the sounds. The kids will enjoy them too.

Thank you NetGallery and Gnome Road Publishing for the ARC.

[Debra Shumaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a joy to read. With short, rhyming phrases full of onomatopoeia, kids will love the energetic pace of this book as a read-aloud as they watch a group of kids playing with sidewalk chalk. In the illustrations, an additional story is being told of a shy girl not quite sure how to join the group and in the end, figures out how to be part of the group AND make a new kid feel welcome. Fun text, inspiring message, and stunning art makes this a book to treasure.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple and fun look at the imaginative world of sidewalk chalk! I can see this being fairly interactive if the grown-up reader portrays the actions (especially with chalk or crayons?)

The illustrations are also so bright and really capture the excitement of creating something new.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Beena K · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book features some of the most beautiful illustrations I have ever seen in kids books. They are vibrant and detailed and they just transpire sweetness.

I would have preferred it with more sentences rather than just words, but still it was a good one.

Thank you Netgalley and Gnome Road Publishing for the copy

[Tabby Shiflett · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars
A gorgeously illustrated and inspiring children's book that would be great for early readers or storytime (school, home, or library). The text is simple enough for kids just learning to read but also engaging. The artwork is creative and easily relatable for children. Expressive and comforting.

LibraryThing Early Reviewer

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated tale of perseverance and creativity that rocks a strong "Itsy-Bitsy Spider" vibe. Told with few words and many sound effects, the book would make for a fun read-aloud. I enjoyed it mostly as it brought back fond memories of my boys filling our driveway with colorful images.

Thanks to NetGalley and Gnome Road Publishing for sharing.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Exploring the fun and creativity that sidewalk chalk unleashes to bring a group of neighborhood kids together to dream and explore. And even when the rain washes it away, they can rethink and begin again.

A sweet story of being outside and being imaginative with color explosions on each page.

[Annie Brechbuhler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sidewalk Chalk is a great book for emerging readers and early literacy. Few words, excellent pictures, and a lovely cadence make this book a delight to read. I highly recommend this for PreK-1st grade classrooms.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sidewalk Chalk is such a bright, delightful, and fun book! Perfect for families and classrooms. This would be such a fun book to read to a group of students before playtime, to encourage them to imagine and then go create, just like in the story. So inspiring!

[Laura Lavoie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so sweet! The short, snappy rhyming text makes it a great pick for bedtime, and the fun, colorful illustrations will definitely hold kids' attention. Impressive that the author was able to tell an impactful story in so few words... you need to check it out!