Crescendo

by Paola Quintavalle, Alessandro Sanna (Illustrator)

Crescendo is a visual and poetic celebration of the transition to motherhood, featuring 47 gorgeous watercolor illustrations from Alessandro Sanna (The River, Pinocchio: An Origin Story) and a corresponding poem by Paola Quintavalle. Sanna’s illustrations follow the transformation of a mother’s shape throughout her pregnancy, artfully and gracefully delineated not only by images of a mother’s profile, but by rich, sweeping scenes from nature: the curved wingspan of a seagull in flight, the arc of a whale’s tail as she swims with her calves, the peaks of verdant, moonlit hills, among others. At last, there is an image of a mother embracing her newborn child, at once lilting and reverent—a vision of joy and rest at the culmination of an incredible inward journey. Quintavalle's poem, written as a response to Sanna’s illustrations, weaves delicately throughout the book. An ode to mothers everywhere, Crescendo is a book to share and to treasure.

Genres: Picture Books, Art, Childrens, Parenting

104 pages, Hardcover

Published February 12, 2019

Reviews

[Dave Schaafsma · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because it was on Maria Popova (Brainpickings) list of best picture books for 2019. (I suggest you subscribe and read her full list; it puts the Goodreads choice awards to shame). This is my third book (Pinocchio and The River) by the prolific Italian illustrator Alessandro Sanna, and it appears he did the paintings three years before Paola Quintavalle wrote the text.

The book is really an all-ages book about pregnancy, and in some sense it is "informational," based on developmental facts we read about in the appendix that inspired the text, but it is clear that it is more about poetry and magic and watercolor splendor. Science doesn't explain the experience in its entirety. Each month gets its section.

The words help, though in some sense the story gets fully told in and through the images.

Here is Maria Popova's wonderful review, where you can fall in love with the images:

https://www.brainpickings.org/2019/03...

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning tribute to mothers and babies and the beauty of pregnancy. Would make a fitting gift for a mom-to-be. Loved the illustrations throughout that followed the silhouette of the mother, the elegant accompanying poem and the facts about the development of the baby. Life is a beautiful thing!

Thank you to Enchanted Lion Books and Edelweiss for providing an ARC of this new children's book.

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely picture book praising motherhood.

[Becki Iverson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This landed on my shelf as it was one of Maria Popova's (of Brain Picking's fame) picks for best books of 2019 and I needed something fast and easy to add to my book count. The illustrations are really beautiful and it's almost a sweetly meditative piece on pregnancy. I can see why she liked it and it brought a quiet smile to my face after some long and tough reads. Nice one to flip through if you need a break and love simple, elegant watercolors.

[야일 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing illustrations. But I can't bring myself to give it five stars even though the message and ambience was great. But too little content to actually rate it.

All moms should read it.

Special thanks to Edelweiss+ and the Publishers for this review copy.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honoring and revealing the miracle that is birth. Nature, its elements and its movements, are used to foreshadow the changes in a woman's body as she prepares for her baby. Truly, mothers will enjoy it more than kids.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A layered progression through the months of gestations to childbirth. The growing silhouette of the mother frames Poala Quintavalle's illustrations of aspects of development, poetic and dream like. I would love to read this with a child.

[Gladimore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute.

[Katelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, quick read about a baby's development during pregnancy. A good book for mamas to borrow from the library.

[Gps · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is not really a book for children, but it is a poetic reflection on pregnancy, and the beauty of pregnancy.

thoughtful illustrations brighten each page.

what an imaginative book...

[Miss Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

An early elementary book where sweet pictures and lyrical words chart the development of a fetus inside its mother.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful poetic celebration of pregnancy and a baby’s journey as a woman awaits the arrival of her infant.