A seemingly ordinary park transforms into somewhere new and wonderful in this enthralling ode to first adventures from acclaimed author Robie H. Harris and fine artist Armando Mariño.
Somewhere is where I wanted to go. Somewhere new. Somewhere I had never, ever been before.
A young girl and her father walk through familiar streets on a brilliant, sun-drenched day. When they reach a park, the girl lets go of her father's hand. It is time for her to journey out on her own. As her father keeps watch, she finds an unfamiliar place--an extraordinary forest that blooms around her, lush and larger than life. She plays among gigantic leaves, discovers treasures, and thinks of how her father would love this place, too. She retraces her steps to a happy reunion with her father and a recounting of her exploration. Brought to life in soft, vibrant watercolors by renowned Cuban artist Armando Mariño, this lyrical story by Robie H. Harris captures the magic of a child finding her inner strength and curiosity--and discovering somewhere new all on her own.
Robie H. Harris has written many award-winning books for children of all ages, including the definitive Family Library about sexuality: IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL, IT'S SO AMAZING!, and IT'S NOT THE STORK! She lives in Massachusetts.
A young girl and her dad walk to the park, where she is given the freedom to explore independently and discover somewhere new.
The pictures in this book depict nature as colorful and inviting and as a result, the little girl's foray to "somewhere" feels like a great cheerful adventure. The images of the girl with her dad are also very warm and sweet, depicting a strong loving relationship.
I like this book for story time because it doesn't have many words per page and the illustrations are very eye-catching and engaging. It would be good for a father/daughter theme, or for themes such as nature, adventures, independence, trying new things, etc.
I love that this book depicts a child being allowed to explore without an adult being directly with her. This free-range approach to parenting is rare in my world, but it's what I aspire to with my kids, and I so appreciate having a book that celebrates kids' capabilities and doesn't try to scare them into staying home with unlikely what-ifs.
I received a finished copy of Somewhere from Candlewick Press in exchange for an honest review.
A little girl goes on an adventure all her own in the park, finding new places, and discovering little treasures of feathers and flowers. Her father is nearby to keep her safe, but she is exploring independently. When she misses her father, she returns to the park bench to show him all the treasures she has found. They decide to go on an adventure together to a new place they can discover side by side.
This is such a sweet book! The father and daughter are adorable, and I love the way the father encourages his daughter to explore and he appreciates all her little flowers and feathers. He recognizes that these little things are important to her. This is some excellent parenting!
I didn't always love the art style. I liked that the pages have vibrant colors, and the scenery is beautiful with all these huge plants in the background. But the characters faces are kind of distorted sometimes. Their eyes don't match each other or something. The illustrations are okay. Not terrible, but not great either.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
At a certain time, but each child differs, children feel the itch to wander and explore by themselves. Robie H. Harris tells a story about this Daddy and his young girl who wishes to go "Somewhere". He lets her go, and clever illustrations of this gorgeous garden by Armando Mariño show he's really not as far away as she believes. She finds some treasures like a shiny peso and a big green leaf and suddenly wants to show him. There's just a bit of tension until she finds her way, back to Daddy! He asks where she's been. I imagine readers will know the answer is "Somewhere". There's more, a book of wanting to grow up, maybe yet still needing some comfort? Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy!
The stunning watercolor and ink illustrations in Somewhere showcase the adventures of a little girl as she explores a forest of wonders. Leaving her father to watch over her, she collects treasures as she journeys along the path. As she gathers a shiny coin, a large leaf, and three colorful feathers, she enjoys the beauty to be found in the trees, butterflies, and birds around her. She's concerned that her father is lonely and thinks that he would enjoy the things she's found, so she follows her tracks back to him. After sharing her treasures with her father, they go together to somewhere they've never been before. The luscious, rich illustrations share with readers the stunning beauty of Cuba, as well as the tender relationship between a father and daughter. Not only did I love the amazing illustrations, but the sweet way the father supports his daughter's desire for adventure and independence. The text and illustrations blend together in delightful ways as the art adds so many wonderful details to the straight-forward text. A wonderful example of what a picture book should be.
A big process of growing up is letting children think for themselves and work out problems, venture out with our trust, and build confidence. Somewhere addresses these things!
The colors are gorgeous -such a beautiful tribute to the nature. The reservations I have with the story is why dad would allow the child to go on her own at the park entrance and why she would pick a flower in this public area. How could the story be retold, just a bit? Maybe dad could be watching just around the corner or behind a branch, without her seeing him. Maybe the little girl could smell the flower but not pick it up. She might reach into her backpack for a camera or sketch pad.
Somewhere is a beautiful story showcasing love between a father and a child!
A gentle, colorful book about a young child seeking independence and an adventure on her own...and how she also delights in coming back to her father for some security...and then enjoys more new adventures with him. The colors look like Cuba, and I especially love the illustration of the girl running into the waiting arms of her father after her time away. I also love the illustration of the two of them together at the end, exploring somewhere new together. Some beautiful parenting depicted here, with the father nearby but allowing independence, and then striking out on new adventures together.
Most kids like to go exploring. Especially when they know that a loved one is nearby, watching over them - ready to help if needed. In this book, a daughter and her dad visit the park. She wants to go "Somewhere" - exploring on her own. She finds wonderful things - a coin; feathers; a white flower; a big leaf -- and she shares all these things with her dad once her exploring is over and they are reunited. I liked that the dad encourages her explorations and takes the treasures she finds seriously.
This charming story of a father exploring with his daughter is sweet and the illustrations by Armando Marino are simply spectacular! The girl wants to explore on her own...somewhere. Her father allows her that freedom and she brings back beautiful things she has found while exploring. This book is lovely and begs to be shared. Check out the book and then find a metro park in your community to explore together!
"Suddenly, I was somewhere. Somewhere new. Somewhere so nice. Somewhere so quiet." Venturing off on ones own can be illuminating, exciting, and scary. Told from a child's point of view, this book takes readers on a journey both away and to the child's father. This would be a good book to read to a child going off to school. A 2023 Caldecott contender.
Possible contender for the Mock Caldecott Awards in January 2023. Beautifully illustrated story of a young girl's trip to the park with her dad. When she wants to try an adventure on her own, he allows it. When the are reunited she describes her adventures and shares her nature finds with him. A lovely book for bedtime.
Useful on so many levels: father's day, earth month, exploring nature theme--and really striking illustrations with lovely colors! A little girl wanders away from her dad and finds some treasures in nature. I love books that encourage outdoor play and wonder, and it sure is cute when father and daughter are reunited at the end.
An esoteric story of a young girl who wants to go somewhere; nowhere specific, just somewhere different. She has to leave her father behind and she misses him so she eventually travels back to entice him to travel with her.
I sense that this book is more for parents whose children have grown up and moved on. Not recommended for storytime.
A child sets off on an adventure of her own. When she starts to miss her Daddy, she follows her steps back and tells him about her adventure and shows him what she found. It would be fun to read this for an outdoor storytime and then have children look around and imagine something by themselves and then go tell their grown-up.
A father and daughter go to the park. The father lets the girl go off to find somewhere she's never been before. She goes off by herself and finds a beautiful place, but then wants to share with her father, so after a minute of being lost, re-traces her steps to her father.
A little girl and her father goes out for a walk. She wants to go "somewhere" on her own. My Mock Caldecott friends selected this book as our "April Read." The illustrations are captivating. It could be a contender.
The text is meant to mimic a child's voice but it comes off vague, clunky, and unclear. I love the idea of celebrating a child's independence and need to explore, but this book didn't quite capture that for me.
Somewhere This story beautifully narrates the bond between father and daughter giving freedom of exploring the nature. The colorful illustrations and attention to details were the highlights by the author Robie H. Harris and fine artist Armando Mariño
Sweet father/daughter relationship and a sense of adventure! It was cute how some of the illustrations showed the father being close by, watching his daughter explore and dream.
A father and child go for a walk together and then she wants to walk on her own. This is a comforting picture book about a child's exploration and a parent being there when the child returns.