Between Two Windows

by Keisha Morris

A friendship blossoms between two children as they pass drawings across the clothesline between their apartment windows in this imaginative picture book about creativity, the power of art, adventure, innovation, and friendship.

Between two windows, Kayla and Mateo pass drawings of dinosaurs back and forth, back and forth, back and forth...until a story comes to life and the worlds of two friends come together.

But when the clothesline is taken down, the friends must use their creativity to find a new way to keep their story going.

This fun-filled author-illustrator debut from Keisha Morris is perfect for fans of classics like The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, Swatch by Julia Denos, and Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg.

Genres: Picture Books, Friendship, Art, Childrens, Fiction, Drawing, Juvenile

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2023

About the author

Keisha Morris is an illustrator living and working in Maryland. What she loves about her illustration process is getting to create characters whose personality jumps off the page and the need to tell their story. She earned her BFA in Illustration at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and mentored with illustrators such as Sean Qualls, Selina Alko and Dan Santat. She is a freelance writer and illustrator for picture books and a member of SCBWI. When she is not drawing, she loves spending time with her wife, daughter, and two crazy cats Elphie and Ollie!

Reviews

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love seeing books depicting city living. And multicultural friendships. And the exploration of art and imagination. This book has all of these things.

I truly love that it is also somewhat wordless. Because it enables readers to make up their stories to Mateo and Kayla's drawings.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two city kids begin to exchange notes via a clothesline strung between their buildings, drawing fanciful pictures that bridge cultural differences and language barriers. Their clothesline conversation leads to artistic expression on playgrounds, sidewalks, and building walls, plus a fast friendship between the budding artists. Colorful illustrations of the kids’ imaginative artwork and the joy of sharing a common interest with a newfound friend.

[Tiffany S · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover showing two friends sharing a clothes line between their windows drew me in. I loved seeing the friendship between Kayla and Mateo grow as they passed their artwork around. From the adorable paper boat to the wondrous dinosaur to the kingdom that they shared with their dinosaur friend, I had so much fun being transported there and following along. The illustrations in this book that showcased their drawings and the universe those drawings took place in really brought out the wonder of play, interaction and the simple joy of making new friends.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friendship grows between Kayla and Mateo who live in adjacent buildings. Starting by passing drawings on the clothesline between their buildings, the two slowly become friends. This appealing picture book is a celebration of friendship and creativity. The illustrations are great, with a very Harold and Purple Crayon vibe and an imaginative world. Just great.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute story about characters Kayla and Mateo who find an artistic connection and friendship with each other through a clothesline that connects their two windows. The two spend all day trading snacks and drawings until the clothesline is removed. The two then must figure out how to continue their fun without the help of their special device. This is such a simplistic, but fun read aloud about the joys of childhood. I'm not sure if this was Keisha's intention, but with so many kids who experienced the pandemic becoming accustomed to spending so much time indoors, it was refreshing to see the main characters have to figure out how to spend their life outdoors. The artwork was stunning. I loved the specific panels where the main characters are transported into the pages of their drawings. Such an interesting and fun creative choice on Keisha's end. Overall, a great read that I would strongly consider for a storytime read aloud.

[SOYAMRG · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming tale about friendship and a marvelous metaphor for crossing a divide.

Kayla and Mateo’s bedroom windows face each other with a clothesline running between their two buildings. Both are from different ethnic backgrounds but find commonality in their love of drawing. They send illustrations (and ethnic cuisine) back and forth to each other using the clothesline. They create a story about themselves and the dinosaurs they invent. When their building supervisor takes down the clothesline to fix it, they come down from their rooms and begin drawing at the playground and on sidewalks with chalk. Their friendship is solidified by the time the new clothesline goes up.

The whimsical and interesting illustrations make this story one that any child (or adult!) can enjoy. Recommended purchase.

R.U.
YS Director

[Carrie Kruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book. Kayla and Mateo send drawings back and forth using the clothesline strung between their windows, and through their art and imaginations they share exciting adventures without ever having to leave their bedrooms. When the clothesline breaks, they meet up outside and find a way to continue their adventures throughout their community. This delightful modern-day "Harold and the Purple Crayon" feels like a book that is very much OF the pandemic without being ABOUT the pandemic (finding connection despite distance, learning how to reconnect with the outside world), and I think a lot of young (and old) readers will connect to this book without knowing exactly why it feels so familiar. The illustrations are a delight to get lost in, and most importantly, this book is FUN!

[Calista · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wonderfully fun book about two kids living in two different buildings connected by a dry clothes line. They meet across their alley one day and then start sending pictures and stories back and forth on that clothes line. They both enjoy dinosaurs.

It's such a fun story about old style friendship in a time of electronics. Energetic artwork and the stories they tell are in a child's style. It really is a whole lot of fun.

Life can be so much more wonderful we they put down the video games. My poor nephew, he is lost to all of it. He has little life off his screen. He goes from movie, to coding to video game and then back again. It's all he does.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kayla and Mateo pass on a clothesline between their apartment windows drawings of dinosaurs back and forth, back and forth, back and forth...until a story comes to life and the two friends come together. But when the clothesline is taken down, the friends find a creative way to keep their story going.

[Lisa Varchol Varchol · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful story of friendship, imagination, and creative problem-solving. The illustrations bring to life the endearing characters (Kayla and Mateo), as well as the drawings they share between their windows. (I especially adore the Pastelito-saurus!) The book is cleverly conceived and brilliantly executed. A wonderful addition to every home, school, and library!

[Lissette Norman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful and creative story about friendship! Love, love, love the illustrations in this book! Two friends, living in two different buildings, send each other drawings on a clothesline strung between their windows. Their friendship grows as they imagine great adventures and bring them to life through art. I loved everything about this book and highly recommend it!!

[Sylvia Chen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the playful scenes filled with fun imagination throughout, plus the immersive action, pithy but energetic text, and delightful naming, dialogue, and sounds presented in BETWEEN TWO WINDOWS. Not to mention all the wonderful themes: friendship, imaginative play, joy through art, creative connections, and how anything can turn into fun inspiration. Such a fantastic book!

[David McMullin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story of imagination and a growing friendship. Inventively, the story is in partly told through the art that the two main characters create. This joyous story captures the playfulness on making new friends.

[Steph]

Turn/Level: 1/3

Great to use with small whiteboards/paper interaction. Have them draw a boat/in a location matching the story. Then their favorite food-a-saurus. Follow up with sidwalk chalk activity.

[Syntha Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story of friendship and imagination

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute city friendship story, but I wanted more.

[LS Johnson]

Early Literacy skill - Play

[Susan Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Multicultural urban friendships based on imagination and inspiration are the BEST. Throw in some dinosaurs and it is absolutely the best. <3

[Alyssa Gudenburr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A warm fuzzy story about two children become friends by sending messages through a clothesline. The illustrations are very detailed so it would be best as a one-on-one story.

[Y.Poston]

a color explosion that tells the tale of two budding
artists and friends

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another pretty book

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love, love the art style and illustrations, but the story could have used a little more oomph.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute and sweet

[Tasha MCCORD · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beauitful

[Makenzie Miller]

A lovely book depicting multicultural friendships and city living. Two children become friends through shared drawings. Great to use for teaching about friendship

[SamSamSam · Rating 2 out of 5]

On a basic level I understand what was happening in this book, but the story was not very well told.

[Ms. Madalyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably a little long for storytime.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful and imaginative! Great story to pique art and creativity.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.7 ⭐️

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming, and in the same vein as Harold and the Purple Crayon or Aaron Becker's Journey, but with a friendship focus!