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If...
A diving board to creative wordplay, the fascinating picture book If... offers a surrealistic view of the natural world. The two-page spreads present artful watercolors paired with such strange possibilities as "If zebras had stars and stripes...," "If the moon were square...," and "If worms had wheels...." Although some of the ideas and pictures are whimsical to the point of being downright creepy ("If caterpillars were toothpaste...," "If toes were teeth..."), the hypotheticals will surely inspire flights of fancy for readers of all ages. What could be more appealing for a 5-year-old than imagining the silliest suppositions and seeing them come to life in realistic paintings?
Sculptor Sarah Perry creates a world to make us stop and think. One of her best illustrations depicts a large, hairy warthog with a sparkling crown and the text, "If ugly were beautiful...." With every if idea, the author encourages the kind of mental double take that comes naturally for children. (Ages 4 to 7, and adults, too) --Emilie Coulter
48 pages, ebook
First published November 2, 1995
3 people are currently reading
391 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Perry
1 book3 followersLibrarian's note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews
February 6, 2020
I'm not gonna lie, the cover itself is what pulled me towards this book. The very strange fish on a plant esthetic had me curious, and with a title like "If..." - the suspense was killing me.
Apparently it was made back in the 90s, so I'm shocked I never picked it up as a kid. I devoured books as a child, but my city wasn't super diverse in it's library offerings. Lucky me, I get to pick up this book so many years later!
This story presents many "what if" scenarios like cats flying and magnetic turtles. The pictures are beautiful and the story is soft, simple and sweet. This book is definitely for a very young audience, but it's a very fun book. I could see three to five year olds bonding with parents and reading buddies over this joyful little book.
My biggest positives:
1. The art is FANTASTIC. The Siamese cat flying was beautifully drawn, and that's just one of many. Add that to the wild cover page, and you've got some wildly beautiful art. It didn't feel like a picture book, because it was just so darn pretty.
2. The creativity of some of these what ifs is absolutely wild. Worms with wheels?! I never wouldh ave imagined it. I am totally impressed. Except for my only negative of the book.
3. The braille shout-out! I totally approve and got super excited to see that splash of diversity! That's not a word I see too often and man am I proud!
4. The Reader's Guide at the end was very interesting to read as an adult reader. The kids might not like it as much, but I was intrigued. It had me thinking like a kid again!
My (obviously very personal) negatives:
1. Mice... as... hair... What? Why? Who thought of this?! Honestly, I'm curious. I'm horrified. My hair as mice?...
Overall, I'd say this is a must read picture book. It stands in line with Robert Munsch's classics, The Hungry Caterpillar, Grandma and the Pirates (my personal fave) and other wonderful popular books. This book is unique, full of creativity and imagination, and totally thought provoking. We need more books like If... littering the shelves of children everywhere.
Four out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Getty Publications for this awesome opportunity to pick up this literary classic.
Apparently it was made back in the 90s, so I'm shocked I never picked it up as a kid. I devoured books as a child, but my city wasn't super diverse in it's library offerings. Lucky me, I get to pick up this book so many years later!
This story presents many "what if" scenarios like cats flying and magnetic turtles. The pictures are beautiful and the story is soft, simple and sweet. This book is definitely for a very young audience, but it's a very fun book. I could see three to five year olds bonding with parents and reading buddies over this joyful little book.
My biggest positives:
1. The art is FANTASTIC. The Siamese cat flying was beautifully drawn, and that's just one of many. Add that to the wild cover page, and you've got some wildly beautiful art. It didn't feel like a picture book, because it was just so darn pretty.
2. The creativity of some of these what ifs is absolutely wild. Worms with wheels?! I never wouldh ave imagined it. I am totally impressed. Except for my only negative of the book.
3. The braille shout-out! I totally approve and got super excited to see that splash of diversity! That's not a word I see too often and man am I proud!
4. The Reader's Guide at the end was very interesting to read as an adult reader. The kids might not like it as much, but I was intrigued. It had me thinking like a kid again!
My (obviously very personal) negatives:
1. Mice... as... hair... What? Why? Who thought of this?! Honestly, I'm curious. I'm horrified. My hair as mice?...
Overall, I'd say this is a must read picture book. It stands in line with Robert Munsch's classics, The Hungry Caterpillar, Grandma and the Pirates (my personal fave) and other wonderful popular books. This book is unique, full of creativity and imagination, and totally thought provoking. We need more books like If... littering the shelves of children everywhere.
Four out of five stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Getty Publications for this awesome opportunity to pick up this literary classic.
February 8, 2020
Many thoughts and illustrations starting with If... If dogs were mountains... If cats could fly...If music could be held...
This is a very imaginative book with many examples and beautifully detailed illustrations. The end of the book encourages you to dream up some more! A fun ending to the story.
This is a very imaginative book with many examples and beautifully detailed illustrations. The end of the book encourages you to dream up some more! A fun ending to the story.
November 24, 2019
This is definitely surreal, as advertised. If... is a collection of fanciful artwork that invites readers to imagine outlandish possibilities. Each picture is preceded by a simple "if" statement. The reader is then left to look at the picture and elaborate on the imaginative possibilities.
Some of the pictures are just a little too weird (If toes were teeth... kind of grossed me out), but many really do make the reader think. This could be a great book in a classroom setting if used as a catalyst for creative writing projects. The illustrations--subject matter aside--are all well done.
I think I probably would recommend this one, especially to creative readers who are looking for jumping-off points for their own stories.
Thank you to NetGalley and Getty Publications for providing a digital ARC.
Some of the pictures are just a little too weird (If toes were teeth... kind of grossed me out), but many really do make the reader think. This could be a great book in a classroom setting if used as a catalyst for creative writing projects. The illustrations--subject matter aside--are all well done.
I think I probably would recommend this one, especially to creative readers who are looking for jumping-off points for their own stories.
Thank you to NetGalley and Getty Publications for providing a digital ARC.
August 28, 2020
This anniversary version of IF, Sarah Perry’s iconic children’s picture book, is a wild ride of color, weird images and clever text. Feels a bit psychedelic actually. It holds your attention through its originality and beautiful illustrations. A must-have for those who dig fantastical art.
Pub Date 03 Mar 2020
Grateful to Getty Publications and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
#If #NetGalley
Pub Date 03 Mar 2020
Grateful to Getty Publications and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.
#If #NetGalley
November 25, 2019
Marvelous works with various level of comprehension and representation behind it. More complex then it might look in the first read. Fun, original and deep! Perfect!
April 23, 2020
Sarah Perry’s surrealist work is an attractive enough picture book, which is now being reissued in honour of its 25th anniversary. I’d never before heard of the book, and having now read it, I don’t think I was missing out on much. There is no plot, nothing to hold a collection of outlandish “what if” propositions together. Children might enjoy the work, and teachers might like using Perry’s ideas as a model for students to create their own fanciful speculations and images. Beyond that, however, I don’t see much point in the book. I’m a bit surprised it’s endured for a quarter of a century. I’d say you can safely pass on this one.
May 9, 2020
This book is gorgeous! The artwork is intricate and beautiful and the concepts are bound to inspire and fire the imagination of children and adults alike. As a primary school teacher, the art work will be fantastic as a stimulus for discussions and even for stories. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.
January 23, 2020
Wow. That's what you feel when you see these illustrations.
It is a different work of art that focuses on different concept than we normally presume.
It is simple book with nano sized captions and big hearted illustrations.
Artwork is mesmerizing.
At end there is worksheet and little details for kids to interact with pictures in book.
Every kid will like it.
It is so beautifully structured .
Coffee table book which puts least stress on readers mind.
Thanks netgalley and publisher for review copy.
It is a different work of art that focuses on different concept than we normally presume.
It is simple book with nano sized captions and big hearted illustrations.
Artwork is mesmerizing.
At end there is worksheet and little details for kids to interact with pictures in book.
Every kid will like it.
It is so beautifully structured .
Coffee table book which puts least stress on readers mind.
Thanks netgalley and publisher for review copy.
December 16, 2019
I have a copy of the original publication which was published in 1995. I fell in love with its uniqueness, imaginative qualities and especially the artwork. I have the same feeling when I read it as I experience when I look at Salvador Dali's works of art. It's a picture book of surreal possibilities making it a classic worthy of a special 25th anniversary edition.
This enhanced edition includes two brand new stories together with a sprinkling of freshly added spot illustrations. The illustrations are created in beautiful watercolours. They are large, crisp and truly intriguing.
I for a while had my book displayed on my coffee table, in plain sight, so visitors could enjoy the magical book as well. Both young and old readers will be mesmerized and delighted as they thumb through Sarah Perry's fantastical world.
The book will now be reissued in 2020, enhanced and expanded, so a brand-new generation will be able to enjoy it. The author has included at the end of the book a Readers' Guide to the Secrets of "If..." which I found very interesting indeed. The book is delightful, original, and one that kids (and adults) will go back to read (and ponder) again and again. It would be a wonderful tool for art teachers to use to stimulate their classes or for creative writing projects. I highly, highly recommend this book.
This enhanced edition includes two brand new stories together with a sprinkling of freshly added spot illustrations. The illustrations are created in beautiful watercolours. They are large, crisp and truly intriguing.
I for a while had my book displayed on my coffee table, in plain sight, so visitors could enjoy the magical book as well. Both young and old readers will be mesmerized and delighted as they thumb through Sarah Perry's fantastical world.
The book will now be reissued in 2020, enhanced and expanded, so a brand-new generation will be able to enjoy it. The author has included at the end of the book a Readers' Guide to the Secrets of "If..." which I found very interesting indeed. The book is delightful, original, and one that kids (and adults) will go back to read (and ponder) again and again. It would be a wonderful tool for art teachers to use to stimulate their classes or for creative writing projects. I highly, highly recommend this book.
April 10, 2014
This picture book is a great springboard for the imagination, gorgeously illustrated. The gimmick is a series of surreal ideas (some more surreal that others; e.g. "if cats could fly" is far less bizarre than, say, "if teeth were toes" or "if toothpaste was a caterpillar") designed to inspire imagination. If cats could fly ... what would that mean? What if your hair was made of mice, or if dogs were mountains? Great opportunities for creativity. And the sheer beauty of the art really adds the icing to the cake; this is a splendid book to look at.
November 22, 2021
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.
If... is simple yet evocative. The first time I read through this book, I felt pulled in two different directions. On the one hand, I wanted to sit and stare at the pages without blinking. On the other, I was eager to discover what else this book had to offer. The illustrations are absolutely breathtaking, and I wish I could frame every single page and hang them around the house. It's like the author combined the silliness of Alice in Wonderland with the feeling of walking through a museum.
I recently learned this book celebrated it's 25th anniversary, and I'm really surprised I haven't stumbled across it before now. If... has profoundly impacted my perception of the world, and it's made me consider various other what ifs that are not addressed within the pages of this book. I am ecstatic that I get to share this wonderful work of art with my children, and introduce them to a new way of thinking that nurtures their imaginations.
My favorites: If dogs were mountains... & If caterpillars were toothpaste... They're all fantastic, but those would be my top two. My only complaint would be that I ran out of pages! Additionally, the Reader's Guide at the end was interesting and educational, but explained in a way that made you want to know and learn more. I cannot praise this book enough, and if it's something you haven't had the pleasure of experiencing, please do yourself a favor and borrow it from the library or just buy it outright.
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If... is simple yet evocative. The first time I read through this book, I felt pulled in two different directions. On the one hand, I wanted to sit and stare at the pages without blinking. On the other, I was eager to discover what else this book had to offer. The illustrations are absolutely breathtaking, and I wish I could frame every single page and hang them around the house. It's like the author combined the silliness of Alice in Wonderland with the feeling of walking through a museum.
I recently learned this book celebrated it's 25th anniversary, and I'm really surprised I haven't stumbled across it before now. If... has profoundly impacted my perception of the world, and it's made me consider various other what ifs that are not addressed within the pages of this book. I am ecstatic that I get to share this wonderful work of art with my children, and introduce them to a new way of thinking that nurtures their imaginations.
My favorites: If dogs were mountains... & If caterpillars were toothpaste... They're all fantastic, but those would be my top two. My only complaint would be that I ran out of pages! Additionally, the Reader's Guide at the end was interesting and educational, but explained in a way that made you want to know and learn more. I cannot praise this book enough, and if it's something you haven't had the pleasure of experiencing, please do yourself a favor and borrow it from the library or just buy it outright.
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January 26, 2020
Review of eBook
Imagination takes flight in the pages of this stunning book. Over a two-page spread, twenty-two fantastical “what if” suppositions are matched with a full-page illustration. What if: cats could fly . . . dogs were mountains . . . music could be held . . . whales lived in outer space . . . the moon were square?
But the colorful watercolor illustrations reveal even more. What can you discover? And what is your own “What if” idea?
Although intended for young readers ages four through seven, this magical picture book, a twenty-fifth anniversary edition of the original publication, is sure to delight readers of all ages. Two new “what ifs” have been added for this edition: What if turtles were magnetic . . . and What if dreams were visible . . . . And don’t miss the surprises awaiting you in the Readers Guide to the Secrets of “If . . .”
Take an imaginative journey of endless possibilities and see where this book takes you.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Getty Publications and NetGalley
#If #NetGalley
Imagination takes flight in the pages of this stunning book. Over a two-page spread, twenty-two fantastical “what if” suppositions are matched with a full-page illustration. What if: cats could fly . . . dogs were mountains . . . music could be held . . . whales lived in outer space . . . the moon were square?
But the colorful watercolor illustrations reveal even more. What can you discover? And what is your own “What if” idea?
Although intended for young readers ages four through seven, this magical picture book, a twenty-fifth anniversary edition of the original publication, is sure to delight readers of all ages. Two new “what ifs” have been added for this edition: What if turtles were magnetic . . . and What if dreams were visible . . . . And don’t miss the surprises awaiting you in the Readers Guide to the Secrets of “If . . .”
Take an imaginative journey of endless possibilities and see where this book takes you.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this eBook from Getty Publications and NetGalley
#If #NetGalley
December 19, 2019
I loved this book. Beautifully illustrated, 'If...' is a wonderfully imaginative book filled with ideas that change the way you think. With ideas as simple as, "If cats could fly...", "If zebras had stars and stripes...", and my favourite, "If turtles were magnetic...". and fantastical images to illustrate them, this really does stretch the imagination. A lovely book just to read alone, but I think it would bring real joy to discuss this with children and let their imaginations run riot. Thank you to Sarah Perry, Net Galley and the publisher, Getty Publications for an ARC.
January 24, 2020
This is a lovely picture book of odd things to think about. A good jumping off point for discussions after reading the book.
Now, can't say that I have ever wondered about any of these things. I mean, puppies as hills? Fish as leaves? Music you can hold?
It makes for lovely pictures, though, and quite enjoyable. Weird, yes, but enjoyable.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Now, can't say that I have ever wondered about any of these things. I mean, puppies as hills? Fish as leaves? Music you can hold?
It makes for lovely pictures, though, and quite enjoyable. Weird, yes, but enjoyable.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
December 10, 2019
I received an ARC of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
This book has a collection of thought provoking and beautiful artwork. I loved reading and studying each picture and am going to read back through it and talk about each picture with my daughter.
A fantastic book for play on words and developing imagination.
This book has a collection of thought provoking and beautiful artwork. I loved reading and studying each picture and am going to read back through it and talk about each picture with my daughter.
A fantastic book for play on words and developing imagination.
March 27, 2020
I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley.
This is such a cute children' book! It allows children to imagine all sorts of things, even the 'impossible' ones. The illustrations are extremely beautiful as well, I was mesmerised. Rating: 5/5 stars.
This is such a cute children' book! It allows children to imagine all sorts of things, even the 'impossible' ones. The illustrations are extremely beautiful as well, I was mesmerised. Rating: 5/5 stars.
January 17, 2017
Cool pictures and can be somewhat creepy for some.
July 28, 2021
Great art work with a lot of fantasies. This book is gorgeous! I had to smile more than once to see things coming to life. Many thoughts and illustrations, starting with If... Marvelous works!
July 5, 2020
This is a beautiful book for dreamers and those who like to explore the thought of if.... As such it will surprise you, make you want to keep on dreaming creatively and also to explore the world around you - both the natural world as we know it and one that could be.
First of all the book is a teaser since if you don't read the description then there isn't much to tell you about what the story may actually be about. Then again the magic begins if you also pay attention to the cover and notice the details of its illustration.
The writing itself is very simple and easy to follow so beginning readers will find this a good book to start reading on. Each page has only just a few words to explain the thought while the following illustration is what drives home the point in a beautiful visual.
And although the words are calming and inspiring it is most definitely the beautiful and brightly colored illustrations that bring it altogether. Although there are a few illustrations that didn't really stand out to me like the toes, the worms and the zebras, all of the rest of them did and they were charming. I found a few that just had me laughing with the thought.
In the end I have to say I found a new children's book that I like and I cannot wait to find someone to share it with....
**Please note I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review**
First of all the book is a teaser since if you don't read the description then there isn't much to tell you about what the story may actually be about. Then again the magic begins if you also pay attention to the cover and notice the details of its illustration.
The writing itself is very simple and easy to follow so beginning readers will find this a good book to start reading on. Each page has only just a few words to explain the thought while the following illustration is what drives home the point in a beautiful visual.
And although the words are calming and inspiring it is most definitely the beautiful and brightly colored illustrations that bring it altogether. Although there are a few illustrations that didn't really stand out to me like the toes, the worms and the zebras, all of the rest of them did and they were charming. I found a few that just had me laughing with the thought.
In the end I have to say I found a new children's book that I like and I cannot wait to find someone to share it with....
**Please note I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review**
September 15, 2018
This is a classy children's picture book, that will astonish and delight a person of any age. Once a child learns the meaning of "if....", the sky is the limit. The "If" statement on each double spread page is on the left, the realized image is on the opposite side, making you wonder which came first: the language or the imagined scene? Perhaps we should all doodle more. "If ants could count..." and here we have a picture of ants crawling in a figure eight (or infinity). "If the moon were square..." and we have a shining cube hanging in a beautiful twilight sky. Children should be free to laugh, say "ewwww" and generally delight in images that sometimes make your imagination soar and sometimes make you feel squeamish and shivery. If...the result is, you want to sit down and draw something, then ... mission accomplished.
November 22, 2019
Ever wondered what's inside a child's mind? It's this book. A child thinks of flying cats, of mountains as dogs, and the moon as a square. It's a wonderful journey into imagination and the possibilities of the human mind. Based solely on that, it does it's purpose admirably. However, some things were just out of place. Some were creepy, I mean . However, many inspired me into thinking about more things like this, which is what this book was trying to do. The anniversary edition includes two more stories. I'm looking forward for more books like this one.
January 20, 2020
DISCLAIMER: In exchange for a fair and honest review, I received a digital copy of this book from NetGallery.
OH MY.... my grandchildren, at the ages of 13 and 20, are too old to want a copy of this, but rest assured, I will buy one for great-nieces, nephews, and in the DISTANT future, Great Grandchildren.
The illustrations are magical. There is a warmth to this book that simply made me smile.
My favorites "Ifs" were:
"If music could be held..."
"If ugly were beautiful..."
This gorgeous volume will stick with me for a long time as I remember the magic in everything.
OH MY.... my grandchildren, at the ages of 13 and 20, are too old to want a copy of this, but rest assured, I will buy one for great-nieces, nephews, and in the DISTANT future, Great Grandchildren.
The illustrations are magical. There is a warmth to this book that simply made me smile.
My favorites "Ifs" were:
"If music could be held..."
"If ugly were beautiful..."
This gorgeous volume will stick with me for a long time as I remember the magic in everything.
January 22, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. This is my first time seeing it. I laughed out loud, awwed, and felt sorry for that poor turtle carrying around all that stuff. And then I got to the secrets at the end, and I want to read it all over again!
I can see this book as a fantastic jumping-off point for so many things. Kids can draw their own pictures, come up with their own what-if scenarios, and write stories using the prompts in the book. I love it. So clever!
I can see this book as a fantastic jumping-off point for so many things. Kids can draw their own pictures, come up with their own what-if scenarios, and write stories using the prompts in the book. I love it. So clever!
February 3, 2020
My nine year old son and I received an advance reviewer copy of the new edition of this book. We’d never read it before.
We enjoyed all of the pictures and the secrets described at the end. The ideas were interesting, surprising, and sometimes weird—in a good way. They got us thinking about if the world was different from how it is now.
It’s similar to another favorite of ours, Imagine a World. Enjoy!
We enjoyed all of the pictures and the secrets described at the end. The ideas were interesting, surprising, and sometimes weird—in a good way. They got us thinking about if the world was different from how it is now.
It’s similar to another favorite of ours, Imagine a World. Enjoy!
February 3, 2020
This book is great! As a speech pathologist, I can use this book to teach all ages. It has a chance to answer wh-questions. Children can also ask their own questions. The illustrations are beautiful, and useful to talk about adjectives and have the students use their own writing skills. I service children from the ages 3-21 and feel that this book can be used by all ages. This is definitely on my purchase list.
March 3, 2020
I can see why this was republished! It is a surreal classic, reminiscent of 'Tuesday' by David Wiesner. I adored the captivating and strange illustrations. This book is perfect for kids around 4-6 as they will easily be able to spot what's wrong/different about each picture vs. reality. My 5 year old loves picture books like this so I can't wait to show it to him.
Thank you NetGalley and Getty Publications for providing this ARC.
Thank you NetGalley and Getty Publications for providing this ARC.
January 20, 2020
What a lovely book to stir the imagination, not only of children but of us fuddy duddy adults as well. A book to be dipped into time and time again, a book to dream on - a book to wonder what if all the people in the world thought of "if"s what a wonderful peaceful world this could be.
Love this book, a wonderful gift to share.
Love this book, a wonderful gift to share.
February 3, 2020
A wonderful opportunity to engage in conversation with our 4 year old grandson. The book was a delight, the "bizarre" suggestions such as if mice were hair or worms had wheels enhanced our grandchild's imaginings. Reading this book together will take you places you never imagined your talks would go.
January 22, 2020
I loved this book so much that I have requested it for my library. The illustrations and the thought behind the book are wonderful. This is a book that can have children challenging ideas and thinking about 'what if...?'. Adult perspective will also be challenged by this book.
January 25, 2020
I absolutely love this book. One of my favorites was What if teeth were toes. I love the detail in all of the pictures. The book makes me wonder what other possibilities are out there. Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me to read this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 211 reviews