Also

by E.B. Goodale

An ode to the way memories allow us to be in many places at once, Also is a powerful exploration of being present as well as looking back. Perfect for Mother’s Day, birthdays, or graduation, this modern classic is by Ezra Jack Keats Honor–winner E. B. Goodale.

A moving story that follows one family through generations of time spent together and shows readers that memories allow us to connect to the past, the present, and also each other.

This gorgeously illustrated book explores the power of memory, teaches children subtle lessons about the passing of time, and celebrates the cherished bonds we share with those we love.

Perfect for reading together every day, or for giving on occasions like graduation, Mother's Day, and birthdays.

Genres: Picture Books, Family, Childrens, Juvenile, Love, Inspirational, Grief

32 pages, Hardcover

Published February 22, 2022

Reviews

[Laura Harrison]

Another breathtaking picture book by E.B Goodale. Every page is a wonder. Moment's between a daughter, a mother, a grandmother and a cat that are never forgotten. I don't know how Goodale can convey so much feeling in her art and words. Truly pulls on the heartstrings. I was something of a mess by the end of the book. Also is perfect for gift giving. Expect tears!

[Deborah]

How we can be in the moment and in our memories at the same time, and how our memories are always with us. While not a book about loss, I imagine it could be comforting to children suffering from grief. Lovely.

[Marissa Elera]

A unique and beautiful embrace of memory and family.

[Panda Incognito]

This book has a sweet emphasis on memories and family, but the narrative flow is choppy and it will appeal to adults' nostalgia far more than it appeals to children.

[Sarah BT]

E. B. Goodale is an artist to watch. Each new book is a masterpiece and this one uses one of my favorite illustration techniques of using various palettes to show different times. It's a beautiful exploration of memory and family and the art is soft and gentle, mirroring the text beautifully. This book has an overwhelming feeling of love and comfort and I want to go back and look at it again and get lost in the pages.

I loved how the memories weren't big memories of something incredible, but instead small, simple memories of every day life. It captures that moment when a sight or smell or sound will instantly transport you. A beautiful and loving book about the small memories we make and carry with us and the people who help us create them.

[Jennifer]

I received an eARC courtesy of Clarion Books via Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.

I think this book is stunning; my daughter found it a tad underwhelming. I think this definitely has a very specific appeal and will require some patient explanations to very young children.

All that being said, this book was made with blueberry ink and instructions to make your own in the end pages-brilliant!

[Miss Pippi the Librarian]

A beautiful book about the layers of memories - memories of yesteryear and of today. It's also a generational book filled with memories of a grandmother, mother, and daughter.

Reviewed from a library copy.

[Taryn McCollum]

Relatable and beautiful.
The blueberry ink art was so special.

[Cara Byrne]

A moving book about memory and how an image, a feeling, or an interaction can bring someone back to another time. Really interesting and unique picture book. A 2023 Caldecott contender.

[Elisabeth]

This book so beautifully captures the moment you realize your grandmother was once your age, your mother was once your daughter's age, one day your daughter could be a mother and all the seemingly simple moments that will remain with us forever. My heart was full and my eyes were leaking after reading this.

[Cheryl Gladfelter]

What a gorgeous depiction of time and memory.

[Shirley Ng-Benitez]

A beautifully written and illustrated story about love that is felt through generations.

[Lynn]

A wonderful engaging story that brings complex concepts to very young readers. Addressing the idea that the older people around a child have been children and still have those memories of similar experiences is not a simple thing and Goodale does it with great skill and charm in this book.

The illustrations are glorious adding much to the reading experience.

[Michele Knott]

It's funny how a moment in time can live with us for so long.

[Sarah]

Such a cute new picture book about memories. I love how it shows how you can be in the present while remembering the past, and it actually illustrates a key point I learned in therapy recently: you can feel two emotions at once. Don't say "I feel...but...", say "I feel...and...". Such a small switch in language, but it does a wealth of good in not dismissing your emotions or how you can feel two (or more) things at once.

[Pam]

I received an electronic ARC from Clarion Books through Edelweiss+.
Charming look at how memories intertwine with current moments. Goodale takes readers through three generations of memories as they live in the present moment and recall times in their individual pasts. Detailed illustrations use different color schemes to represent the current time and the past memories.
A terrific read together for books to build their own memories.

[Nessa]

Cute! Loved how she describes how memories can be. When you're here but also there.

[Sharon Graff]

sweet and true

A beautiful book that ties together the past, present and future for children, parents and grandparents, illustrating how experiences beget memories and evoke
love.

[Beverly]

Possible contender for the Mock Caldecott Awards in January 2023. A beautiful, touching book about family and memories. The activities of the day stir memories from the past so even when you live in the moment you're connected to all the days that came before. Reading this gave me chills. Just lovely.

[Melanie Hetrick]

A confusing story of 3 generations of women and a cat. The story goes back and forth so could prove difficult for kiddos to follow.

Not recommended. The blueberry ink is fascinating. Recipe included to make blueberry ink.

[Christine]

Beautiful book about memories and the past. Beautiful illustrations as well.

[Sarah Threlkeld]

A lovely exploration of memory and how it shapes us.

[Max from Anything Glows]

This book is a short, sweet, and visually gorgeous tale of family and memory, written and illustrated by the illustrator of Windows!

From page to page, we move back and forth in time, examining the memories a grandma, a mother, a child, and a cat have made at the grandma’s home, surrounded by fields of blueberries. [Minor hints at the end of the book follow...] The surprising ending just might tie back to the back flap of the book, so make sure to check that out…and while you’re at it, do NOT forget to read the blurb on the last page saying what the illustrations are made of. Seriously. It’s so genius.

E. B. Goodale’s illustrations of the present are lush and colorful, and her illustrations of the past are a vivid yet faded purple. The red bird on the cover acts as almost a memory “cue,” appearing on each spread and reminding these characters of what their past lives were like.

The mingling of past and present ties back to the thought-provoking central theme of this book: memory allows us to be in the present day and also in the past at once.

What’s my verdict? A beautiful and creative story of our pasts and the people we love—perfect for anyone who wants to reminisce (and also perfect as a gift)!

– Click here to see the full review on my blog!

[Lara]

It's not exactly a book about grief, but it could be. It's more about memories vs the present. And maybe that's why it's not quite as emotional as some of the grief books I've read in the picture book section. That 'softer punch' is probably why it's down to 'just' a 4 star - still an impact, but just not quite as hard-hitting.

That being said, it's definitely a really good read. I loved the illustrations and how the past and present flowed together with the colors and the little red bird - so many little details like that. It would be a great book to read with family and talk about family stories.

[Amy Oberts]

"Also" is a picture book that captures the beauty and complexity of experiencing memorable moments, both in the present and through reminiscing. An effective introduction for young audiences to the power of memory.

Publication Date: 2022
Format: Picture book
Elements: Use of unique color schemes for illustrations to depict present/past
Connection/Topics: Experiences (past/present); memories; families; blueberries (including ink recipe)
*Pairs with "Out of a Jar" by Deborah Marcero

Discovered via:
- https://docs.google.com/presentation/...
- https://www.pinterest.com/mrschureads...

[SBC]

This is a lovely picture book about how our lives intersect with each other and with our memories. It has a lovely cyclic structure, starting with a girl at her gramma's house in the blueberry bushes and travelling through her interactions that day with her gramma, and her mama, and her gramma's cat, each of them remembering other things that day until the cycle comes back around to the girl now grown up in the present, remembering that day... "We are all here... and also there." The artwork was also lovely, fresh and dreamy and evocative, and I loved how the memories were in monochrome but then at the end the colours came through to show the interconnectedness of our nows and thens.

[Katie Hutchison Irion]

Also by E. B. Goodale is a beautiful book about being present in the present while also remembering other moments in your life similar to the one you are experiencing. I know that sounds sci-fi but the book is really poignant and completely understandable. Three generations of women are experiencing life at Gramma’s house while simultaneously remembering moments in their past that connects them, interestingly enough, to their future selves. It is a stunning book with beautiful illustrations and makes you think about how odd it is to be in one place while your mind travels to another place and time all together.

[Maren]

i will never not fuck with a picture book about circularity and the passage of time and the sanctity of the mundane. also blueberry ink!!!!

this is the kind of book i wish i could read in storytime but it simply wouldnt work and is really meant to be discovered by a sensitive soul and read alone or maybe one on one by a mother to a child. young children ARE curious about the childhoods of adults tho (but only on their own terms in my experience). local legend kim fauroult sometimes shows photographs of children's book authors when they were preschool age in her storytime, which is something i've thought about doing but idk if it would hit for my group. marsani may appreciate that!!!

[Katie]

I was not prepared for how emotional I would feel after reading this beautiful book! I love the symbolism of the cardinal and how she used actual blueberries to do many of her illustrations. I read this book several times because I just wanted to soak in all of its beauty and nostalgia. As the book jacket says, it shows us how we can "be in 2 places at once: here and also there, with those we love. Always" This book would be a very thoughtful gift for someone who recently lost a parent or other loved one.

[FM Family]

This was a nice one but the concept/narrative style didn't really hold my five year old's attention. The fact that some of it was painted in blueberry ink definitely stood out to her though. I enjoyed it as it's a bit of a bittersweet story that probably resonates more for adults who are looking back through their lives than for kids. The basic idea is that the people we are when we are young stay with us as we go on and have new experiences. Kind of mediatative and sweet with great illustrations.