우리는 아주 특별한 한 해를 보내고 있습니다. 아마 역사 속에서도 코로나19 대유행을 겪고 있는 올해는, 아주 특별하게 기록되겠지요. 이 작품은 그러한 오늘, 2020년의 모습이 오롯이 담겨 있는 타임캡슐 같은 작품입니다. 의료진으로 일하는 작가가 희귀병을 앓고 있어 면역력이 약한 아들을 지키기 위해, 떨어져 지내며 창문을 통해 마주한 경험을 바탕으로 이 작품을 썼습니다. 개인의 경험에서 시작된 이야기는 코로나19 팬데믹을 겪고 있는 전 세계의 다양한 현실을 보여줍니다. 창문 안에 고립된 여러 나라의 아이들을 통해 그 현실을 생생하게 그리고 있지요. 창문 안에서 그 전과는 달라진 바깥 세계를 지켜보아야 하지만, 아이다운 상상력으로 오늘을 견디고 있는 아이들. 아이들 주변의 어른들은 아이들이 보이는 창문을 향해 안부와 희망을 전하는 희망의 노래를 부릅니다.
Words we weren't overly familiar with in Australia: pandemic, isolation and lockdown. Now we are. None of these are directly referenced yet they are alluded to in this picture book. I initially thought this was a story about loss, grief and acceptance - acknowledging that those you no longer have in your lives will always be with you and actually this is similar to the ramifications of Covid lockdowns.
Patrick Guest has taken harrowing experiences of loneliness and isolation and, with kid gloves (pun intended), forged a story of hope, warmth and joy.
I’m not sure I’m ready for the pandemic to hit my picture book shelf. But here it is!
“Out the window, I can see a new world looking back at me.”
This story comes together window by window across the globe. The faces, scenes, and stillness are ones you will know. We’ve all been living it for the past year! It could be you in the window. Or you looking up waving hello. I felt a connection right away to these images. Young readers will too. They’ll point at the page and say “we did that” or “I saw those teddy bears in the window”. It’s a gentle book that offers a big hug and huge hope.
Patrick Guest’s Windows shows readers that even during hard times and isolation, people find ways to love, communicate, and support each other.
Recommended read.
p.s. The wide eyed purple bunny stole the show. Haha…Made me smile.
In rhyming text, this book peeks at children all over the world who are isolating in their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It shows the different things they see outside their windows, from clouds and weather to a visiting grandparent who's waving at them from the safe distance of the street. It's a sweet book and may make children feel less alone, particularly if there are family members they miss seeing.
Patrick Guest's picture books never fail to make us emotional. This is such a gorgeous reflection on the year that was for children inside during lockdown. It's beautifully written and absolute must-have. We adored it.
my coworker held me hostage in the kids dept and read me this book. pretty sweet, the phone rang 3 times and we both ignored it. Let someone else get it, we’re busy crying about kids in a pandemic.
This is a book that had to come out fast! About children living in lockdown, though the blurb says it’s about kids from different parts of the world, the illustrations have a very New York feel. It’s a very urban-looking, American-looking book.
It’s a story about the pandemic without mentioning it by name.
The story is told in rhyme, chronicling the isolation Covid forced on us all in 2020. And the rhyme is really solid. The words leave a lot of space for reminiscing and imagination, and for discussion about how we’ve lived since the pandemic broke out.
(So far), most of us in Australia have only had a short lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic (though, a current outbreak that was brought interstate a few days ago might threaten that!). The author lives in Melbourne, which is the only place that’s gone through multiple long lockdowns, so he would definitely see it differently! Covid feels like a long time ago now – long enough that there was a sense of “Oh, I forgot about that!” as I read.
1. Age range (K-3rd) 2. Based on the author, Patrick Guest’s, own experience during the Covid lockdown, he wrote a heartfelt story about how there is always a way for you to stay connected to those around you. This book is about kids who live in the same building but can’t see each other face to face. These kids are from all over the world, from different cultures, different backgrounds, and different experiences. Through their windows, they share how they are feeling, fun stories, and what they do in their free time (their hobbies). Not only does this book share how relationships can always be maintained even when everyone is isolated, but it also shows how important it is to hear the stories of people who are not from the same background as you are, creating a more inclusive and educated environment for all kids. 3. I chose this book simply because I thought the cover was interesting and I wanted to know what it would be about. However, after reading it, I knew I had to include it because of how many kids have been in the same situation.
A divine book to reflect our times. Such an important story for children's to process the emotions of being shut in during the global pandemic, and to encourage personal reflections of how young readers adapted and stayed safe. The storyline reflects the intense emotions families experienced while missing loved ones and worrying about safety, and celebrates our various ways we adapted and amused ourselves, and watched the world and loved ones through windows. A terrific book for educators and families to reach for to help kids heal and reflect.
I didn't occur to me that children's literature would be written so soon about the pandemic but I suppose it has been almost a year now. I think this is a great book about making kids feel like they are not alone. The illustrations are beautiful and show the different viewpoints kids see from their various neighborhoods. "...just for now I'll keep away, until the lovely day when all the world can dance and kiss and hug the ones we really miss."
What stood out to me in this book was the illustrations, they take up most of the pages to shows children what you can see through windows. I think that what children would like best about this book. Another thing children would like is the rhyming throughout the book. This a very warm and heartfelt book to read. The story is simple but tells a lot. I think children would really enjoy this book.
I watched the author read this book for Love your Bookshop today. It is so well thought out & illustrated & it stirs the emotions. By far my favourite book written about this COVID year we're having. Well done, Pat.
Guest does a great job at illustrating the global experience of looking out on the world through our windows during this pandemic. His poetic text focuses on waiting patiently for that one day when we can finally meet our friends beyond our windowpanes.
Though it's hard to keep apart from loved ones during this pandemic, air hugs and kisses and waves will have to chase the blues away until we all can meet again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
If I had to name a book that captures many of the themes of COVID-19-themed picture books of 2020, this would be it. Kids looking out windows, imagining a time when they will be able to hug freely.
A lovely gentle picture book of what children can see out the windows of the homes they are restricted to during the lockdown. Quick off the mark but no less entertaining.