Infinity

by Pablo Bernasconi

What is infinity? It’s reading the last line of a book and imagining the rest. No, wait, it’s the instruction manual for the machine that operates the sun and the stars.

In unexpected observations, captivating images, and even some equations, celebrated Argentinian author-illustrator Pablo Bernasconi, finalist for the 2018 Hans Christian Andersen Award, offers up verses about what infinity could mean to all of us. Winner of the Grand Prize from the Asociación de Literatura Infantil y Juvenil de la Argentina (ALIJA) in 2018,Infinity is a book children and adults alike will find endlessly fascinating. Pairs nicely with Infinity and Me by Kate Hosford

Genres: Poetry, Picture Books, Childrens, Kids

72 pages, Hardcover

Published November 10, 2020

About the author

Diseñador gráfico. Ha colaborado es gran cantidad de revistas de gran renombre, entre sus clientes habituales se encuentran Clarín, Caras y Caretas, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, Playboy, entre otros. Bernasconi ha sabido crear un estilo propio en sus ilustraciones, que lo hacen altamente reconocible.

Reviews

[Mischenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Infinity by Pablo Bernasconi is a collection of enchanting mixed media illustrations, each combined with a short verse.

This book is interesting and thought-provoking, but I’m not sure it works as a children’s book with the verses that are shared. I had a hard time wrapping my head around a few of them myself.

The stunning illustrations make this book appealing for any age, but in my opinion it’s probably best for older kids and up.

4****

Thanks to NetGalley for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest review.

[Shannara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t realize just how short this book is. It’s one of the most stunning picture books I’ve ever read. The pictures alone would be worth 5+ stars, but the poems/ words are slightly less amazing. There were some that I felt were almost profound and thought provoking. And yet there are others that left me scratching my head. That might be my own ignorance and lack of knowledge with this type of writing, but as an average person, I definitely did not understand all of this work. I rated it four stars because it was still amazing and I know that I’ll be going back to reread it and stare in wonder at the spectacular art. Wow. Just wow.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure I would shelf this as a book for children; children will enjoy this book - but some of the perspectives on infinity are actually quite complex. Wonderful art that really supports the text. This is a very unique book; if you are looking for something different then give it a read.

[Jacinta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Stars: 2.5/5

I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a lot shorter than expected and I zoomed through it. The art work is stunning and unlike anything i've ever seen before and occasionally the poems would be just as beautiful and thought provoking but mainly... under whelming.

I liked the inclusion of mathematic equations as page numbers (not sure if this is correct) and I would have enjoyed the story so much more if I was more mathematically inclined and knew what the equations looked like without having to search them up. I also believe that the equations have something to do with the actual poem... but I may be wrong.

In summary, this book is for a very niche audience and I don't think it is me. The synopsis got me excited, the artwork kept me going and the poetry let me down. I really hate to say that.

Warnings: nil

Recommend: to that very niche group who likes art, abstract poetry and math.

[Sol Morena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Como he dicho anteriormente no leí muchos libros de poesía en español, pero por ahora todo lo que vengo leyendo me esta gustando mucho. Lo lindo de este libro es que es poesía destinada para niño y eso es hermoso, esta muy bueno que empieza a incluir la poesía en la temática infantil - juvenil.
Hace ya un tiempo que la poesía se convirtió uno de mis géneros favoritos para leer y cada día lo estoy disfrutando mas, la manera en la que se puede decir tanto en tan poco es asombroso. Ojalá cada vez se integre mas la poesía y llega a mas personas de todas las edades.
Este libro esta mas recomendado, es super corto y muy fácil de entender, tanto lo que quiere transmitir como la dinámica de la poesía. Excelente libro para arrancar con este genero.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a cute poetry book that really makes the imagery come alive! It teaches you in a way that no matter how you may look at a situation someone else may be looking at it in a completely different aspect. However you both could be right! I feel that’s a life lesson everyone could take away from this and I really enjoyed it.

[Moonkiszt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Featured in a grandma reads session.

My reading group is CRAZY about the infinity sign. . . .they love it, and love showing it to grown-ups who might not know what it is. Their favorite thing is being the knowledge-bringer to a grown-up. Possessor of the Big Reveal. of Infinity! So finding a picture book called Infinity???!!! Yeah. I'm not passing that up.

What I didn't do was vet the book before reading. . . and it wouldn't have stopped me from sharing it, as it is INTERESTING. . . a book that takes itself very seriously, and may be just a little pretentious, assuming we won't get it anyway, so why pander to the masses. . .? And we were true to our proletariat foundation and when turning to a page beyond our ken, we philosophically turned to the next fantasy illustration and word-art-piece attempting to cage "infinity" with an odd equation at the top that not one made sense to us (but which we all believe someone somewhere understands). The kiddos pointed out each infinity sign somewhere on the pages. . .a weird version of "Where's Waldo". . . .anyway. I think I enjoyed the whole adventure more than they, all though the oldest seemed in tune with the author. . . .

[Vanesa Eluaiza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Otra obra maestra de Pablo Bernasconi, finalista del prestigioso premio Hans Christian Andersen 2018 y uno de los artistas integrales más importantes en español.
En este cuento el infinito nos lleva a abrir nuestra imaginación y a través de lo que va contando junto con las ilustraciones nos podemos ir imaginando qué es el infinito: ¿Es el ojo de un artista antes de comenzar a dibujar? (El cual está hecho de lápices), ¿Un telescopio? (Que en realidad es un lápiz) y así sigue con más.
Está narrada en forma de prosa y como ya dije junto con las ilustraciones nos lleva a imaginar que el infinito lo podemos encontrar en cualquier lado, hasta en las cosas más cotidianas de nuestro día a día si solos6capaces de dejar volar nuestra imaginación.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The poetry here will probably go over most kids' (and probably many adults') heads, but the real strength of this book is in its illustrations, anyway. The mixed-media pieces are stunning and thought provoking, perfectly complementing the little snippets of philosophical thought.

I highly recommend checking this one out for the aesthetic alone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penny Candy Books for providing a digital ARC.

[Flor Méndez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leído gracias a NetGalley :D (English below!)

Por supuesto que teniendo varios libros de Bernasconi en casa de cuando mi hermana lo leyó para la escuela yo voy a leer el primero en inglés, en digital y gracias a NetGalley.

Este es un libro precioso. Las palabras son bellas y te hacen pensar, pero quiero destacar las ilustraciones, que son increíbles, creativas, preciosas. Es un libro ilustrado que a mí en particular me encantó, y que creo que a les peques les va a disparar la imaginación. ¿Un telescopio que en realidad es un lápiz? Check. ¿Un libro que hace a la vez de barco? Check. ¿El ojo de un artista a punto de comenzar a dibujar hecho de lápices? Check.

Este tipo de ilustraciones son las que más me gustan, y creo que a cualquier peque le va a encantar tanto como pensar que el infinito se esconde en las cosas más básicas y pequeñas de nuestro día a día... siempre que contemos con la imaginación para encontrarlo.

------✄------

Of course that having many books by Bernasconi in my bookshelf, because my sister had to read them for school once, I read the first one in a digital English edition thanks to NetGalley. This author is really famous in my country (Argentina) and now I can see why.

This book is beautiful. Not only the words are lovely, but the illustrations are out of this world, creative, stuning. This is an illustrated book that me, a 25 years old woman, loved, and I think it'll trigger children's imagination. A pencil-telescope? Check. A boat that's actually a book? Check. An artist's eye just as they're about to start drawing made out of color pencils? Check.

This kind of illustration is the kind I like the most, and I think any child would love it as much as thinking that the infinite is hidden in the most basic and small things in our daily life... as long as we have the imagination to find it.

[Burçak Temel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kitabın her bir sayfasındaki çizimler hakkında saatlerce konuşulabilir, konu zaten saatlerce keyifli konuşmalar yapılacak nitelikte, dili sade, kısa ama bir o kadar da derin. Öğrencileriniz ve çocuklarınızla mutlaka okuyun. Hatta okumadan sonra resimleri inceleyin birlikte, sonra da sonsuzluk kavramını tartışın. Bakalım o yaratıcı beyinlerden nasıl cümleler çıkacak.

[Lamasmaga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tan bello...tan inspirador. Lo encontré en una caja de libros que mando El Ministerio de Educación a la escuela. Lo ame.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

You know when a book just looks cool. It’s got a crazy concept paired with amazing illustrations... Well, that’s the vibe I got from Infinity by Pablo Bernasconi and it did not fail to deliver. The unique imagery went so well with the interesting concept for trying to describe infinity. While this book is marketed for children, I really think it’s one of those that works for any age range and many of the lines really moved me, especially the ones pertaining to books. I’m dying to get a hard copy of this gorgeous book to my collection.

[Fatima Anwar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Name: Infinity
Author: Pablo Bernasconi
Genre: Poetry, Children Fiction
Age:+7
Review:
Infinity is a short book by Pablo Bernasconi. The author offers different verses for his definition of "infinity". The book was very well written, along with the beautiful illustrations which complimented the text. The artwork was really amazing and has a grasping effect on the reader. Each page contains a mathematical equation which piques the reader's attention as well. I enjoyed the book with lyrical verses offered by the author.It's an amazing book for children as well as adults.
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for this arc.

[Zesu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Qué belleza!!!!!

[Mahalia Gosla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Infinity is a children's poetry book with gorgeous art that is smiliar to Tim Burton and Neil Gaiman. I really enjoyed reading this.

[Susie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems totally inadequate to try to limit this book review to a few words. Some of the ideas are really exquisite, some of them I don't understand at all. It's hard to pick a favorite spread, as there were several that really made me ponder.I think it's rather appropriate that I chose this as the book to finally complete my goal for 2021. Who knows how long my readings for this year will affect the rest of my life?

[Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are magical, but we found the poetry hard to understand/relate to.

[Ahmet Funda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soluksuz okudum. Görseller harika. Kitap çok kısa yalnız ben Penguen’de ayakta okudum.

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Odd and profound, appropriately sad for 2020-2021

[Eshana Ranasinghe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so beautiful! I wished I had a physical copy so I could stare at the pictures and run my hands over the gloss pages.
Infinity by Pabli Bernasconi pairs ineffable and sometimes paradoxical poems with beautifully surreal illustrations. It was strange and wonderful and made me pause. It was like standing on the beach, looking at the horizon, and seeing the curve of the earth. When the worlds feel both small but yet so big it might swallow all of you up. When the sky seems impossibly far and yet close enough you could reach it if you tried enough.

It's a lovely book and would make an adorable gift for children and adults.

[Erika Sarutobi · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The artstyle has that Victorian horror style which makes the art unique with a hint of grotesque and morbidity in a way (to me at least). The poems vary in meaning but were still all about infinity. The poems I liked coincidently were all in certain sections. The first and last ones were the best out of all while the other three were so-so for me. The art and short poems complimented each other.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy for an honest review.

[bookishlimitless · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a breathtaking book to cherish and feel regretful of not to have read when it got out in 2021. As the title suggests infinity talks about symbols, numbers and equations on each page with supporting phrases which make you to think and feel as simple as it sounds with profound meanings. I have never felt this much excitement from reading before as this book had made me appreciate its aesthetics of striking illustrations, introspective content and satisfying urge. It starts with famous sayings “I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself a king of infinite space” by William Shakespeare. No wonder it hit me harder more than I deserved. For instance, look at this equation 10 (power of 666)! – It’s a grain of sand lost in a desert somewhere in the world that contains an engraved map for finding yourself! And k=100 – It’s a giant white tapestry that hides the first grey hair of a black sheep. How is this even possible to gather and present to a grade 4, makes me feel dumb compared to those who can grasp such wise things. The Illustrator has done justice with what is needed and my ratings for this book is 5 out of 5 for spellbinding context with complementing sketches.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this, I don't know who the audience is. It's classified for 9+, general audience of grades 4-6. Younger kids might not relate to it at all, unless they happen to like the pictures, but "picture books" in general feel a bit young for what I'm picturing as a 9 year old.
The images and poetry are both abstract. The equations on each page are (as stated in the beginning & at the end) a mix of mathematical, mystical, and personal -- so, you might have an idea of why it relates to the poem or the image, or you might not because it's something specific to the author.
Overall, I'd say it feels more like an invitation to think about how everything on the page relates, but I can also see it feeling esoteric and exclusionary.

It nice that the website has a .pdf download to explain the equations (see under "What does it all mean?": https://www.pennycandybooks.com/infinity)

[Autumn Sykes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was kindly gifted an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review by the publishers.

This is a collection of poems for both children and adults that asks a very big life question. How do you define infinity?
"It's the eye of an artist just before he starts drawing"
"It's the pencil lead - swallowed by the sharpener - that would have written the solution to everything"
As a child, these definitions are easy to understand, and the illustrations, also created by Pablo Bernasconi (who is a graphic designer) are so beautiful and amazing. It gives the book an element of humour and light-heartedness.
As an adult, these definitions make you stop and think about the infinite amount of possibilities.
This book made me feel like a child again, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork drew me into this unique book. The illustrations are wonderful and the prose thought-provoking. The somewhat mature theme and overall tone are more appropriate for older children, so finding it it the picture book section was a happy accident. I was pleased to find there is a website to explain the equations but would have preferred the information to be included in the print copy as well.

[Amy Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an interesting little book. It looks, feels, and is described as a children's book, but my library has it cataloged in the philosophy section. It fits there, too. The mixed media illustrations are beautiful and telling and descriptive. Bernasconi explores the idea of infinity in unique but accessible ways. It made me think of Kim Krans, Oliver Jeffers, and Shaun Tan in its complexity and reflection.

[Renn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is infinity?

“It’s reading the last line of a book and imagining the rest of it.”

“It’s the eye of the artist just before he starts drawing.”

“It’s the pencil lead—swallowed by the sharpener—that would have written the solution to everything.”

So says a beautifully illustrated book where most of the nonsense actually makes sense.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

The math part is really the stuff in the top left corner of each two page spread.

There is a poem that always starts with "It". It's actually unclear to me whether It is always supposed to be Infinity. That is implied by the title, but I don't think it always fits the best.

I'm not sure how to describe the illustrations. My favorite is the knight and the dragon.

[Juan Quiroga · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reseña N°47 del 2024
HERMOSA MANERA DE DECIR ADIOS

Múltiples definiciones ante una palabra, acompañados por las infaltables ilustraciones del autor, cuyas páginas están representadas por expresiones matemáticas.
El libro se complementa con un plus interactivo a la hora de permitirnos escanear un código QR.
Si bien me falta leer sus relatos antológicos, por este momento voy a pausar sus lecturas hasta nuevo aviso.