The Path

by Bob Staake

From New Yorker cover artist Bob Staake, this inspirational guide to finding your authentic self through life's challenges is a hip new take on the graduation book.

Award-winning author and New Yorker cover artist Bob Staake's lyrical words and stunning illustrations will lead children and adults alike to discover the encouraging truth that our path through life is not only challenging and beautiful—it is all our own to discover and invent. With a bonus The Path poster from Bob Staake inside the jacket!

"You will walk. You will walk along a well-worn path that many people have taken—and long before you." So begins this inspirational journey over gentle, grassy hills, through fields of wildflowers, over raging rivers, up steep mountains, and even through a dark, chilly cave. When it splits in two, you will have to decide what to do next—and you'll create a path that's unique to you.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Nature, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 5, 2022

About the author

Bob Staake has authored and/or illustrated more than forty-two books, including The Red Lemon, a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year. His work has graced the cover of The New Yorker a dozen times, and his November 17, 2008 Barack Obama victory cover was named Best Magazine Cover of the Year by Time magazine. He lives on Cape Cod, in Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautiful and uplifting book will put a smile on your face. Not only does it encourage you to keep going despite challenges and obstacles in life, I also love how it acknowledges that everyone's journey is different and no two paths are the same. The imagery and illustrations are gorgeous too.

I love books that take me on a journey, and this one did exactly that. A wonderful read that celebrates life and its endless possibilities!

Thank you to Astra Publishing House and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

[Melki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a huge Bob Staake fan. His big, bold style usually trends toward the silly side, but he goes on a philosophical bent in this beautiful tale of the path through life. It's a kind of Oh, the Places You'll Go! with absolutely stunning artwork.

A treasure for all ages!

[Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet and encouraging book about the different things we encounter on the path of life. It will make a nice gift for graduates or anyone needing a pick-me-up. The illustrations are very pretty, as well.

This unbiased review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.

[Sharon Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, yet deep. A great child's book about life's journey and the paths we choose.

[frannie.qb · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a tough one…

The art in this picture book is sooo pretty and you can clearly tell there was a lot of work behind the color study and chiosing all the shapes and nature-“settings”.
The uhm human (?) figure was very weird looking but I could ignore it and look past it because of just how beautiful the rest was.

However the text was so bland and boring.
“You choose and forge your own path, there are many possibilities - not only the ones you can clearly see right away”… it’s a nice sentiment but it’s the same old story, overused and abused, and if you don’t find a way to spin it and make it original it ends up having the same taste of a reheated pre-made meal and that’s what this was for me, unfortunately.

But the drawings were so darn pretty.

[Karen Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is gorgeous, the illustrations are phenomenal, and the story is short and sweet but with a powerful message. Life is a journey , unique for every individual and this book captures that thought perfectly. Would make a perfect graduation gift or gift for any one undertaking any sort of life change.

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely inspirational book that envelops an important life lesson. Award-winning author Bob Staake unveils the truth about a unique path that we can follow as we journey through our life.

"You will walk. You will walk along a well-worn path that many people have taken—and long before you."

The reader follows a young boy along a path as he traverses over lush grassy hills, through fields of wild flowers, over dangerous raging rivers, up steep mountains, and through a dark dank cave. The boy comes to a fork on his path and he has to make a choice which direction he will go. Unsatisfied with either he decides that there is another choice that he can choose? I wonder what is choice might be?

The author imparts to the reader that life has many challenges and also many beautiful aspects that can be held dear to our hearts. He explains that you don't have to choose the path that many others have travelled but you have the capability and ingenuity to create your own path if you so desire. The message is uplifting and positive and the book would be a perfect gift to give to someone who is graduating or making an important life change. "The Path "encourages kids to dare to be themselves! It's a celebration of the uniqueness of being you!

[April Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

The basic premise of this book, that life is a path we're each on and some parts will be nice and enjoyable and some parts will be dreary and some bits will be difficult and unpleasant, isn't a new concept and has been expressed many times before, in many variations, and there's nothing wrong with that; it's a concept that's worth repeating. What makes this version of that idea special is Staake's artwork, which is just so lovely and evocative! That the simple but poignant way the metaphor is depicted so perfectly fits the illustrations is just icing on the cake. This will be a classic, I think, and is a perfect gift for anyone, including me - my birthday's in July, y'all, just sayin'....

#ThePath #NetGalley

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

The landscapes and the colors were gorgeous, but I found the human character design to be out of place. I kept trying to like the wonky design, but it just didn't work for me and it was almost distracting.

Additionally, the text was boring and very VERY pointed. There was no subtlety to the cliché analogy, and because it didn't rhyme or have meter or anything, there is no way I would ever recommend this picture book to someone. I only read it once and I don't want to have to read it ever again.

But the art was really pretty.

*arc provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[Dawn Foster · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well this is disappointing! I looked forward to reading Bob Staake's newest picture book but found a not-so-original story that echoed Dr. Seuss' The Places You'll Go with hints of Robert Frosts' The Road Not Taken. I thought some of the illustrations might be scary for young kids & the whole 'what path should you take' would be lost on them. I found it odd, too that words & imagery were ill placed in the story: "Then over violent, raging rivers both terrifying and dangerous." Not exactly your city bedtime story!!!

Staake has many other fun, brightly illustrated stories to choose from. This one is just blah & offers nothing original or captivating.

[Kaylen Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, thank you NetGalley for an arc copy of this book for an honest review!

I enjoyed this book and the messages it gives to the reader. The illustrations are simple yet vibrant and beautiful. The words and illustrations work wonderfully together and complement one another perfectly. While I read the story, I realized that this book could stand alone with just the illustrations which tell the story all on their own. Children read books initially through the pictures which makes books like this imperative to early readers who cannot quite grasp all of the words yet.

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

We've all been on this path. We're on it now, and that's the point. The young, nameless protagonist (and the reader) is addressed by the narrator, presenting the many possible challenges on the path ahead. Some are fearful. All are conquered as the reader is assured that they will make their own unique way forward. Flat, colorful illustrations with delightful graphics are a hallmark of this author/illustrator and through their simplicity and variation set the tone for this journey. Lovely. A great graduation gift for the older readers.

[Teresa Grabs · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Path paints a cute and accurate depiction of life as a journey that is full of challenges. The message is clear and the illustrations are very fitting, but the story is also a bit bland. It ends with a great sentiment but it's not enough to give the book a "must read again" quality. It's a great one-time read book.

Thank you NetGalley and Astra Publishing House for the opportunity to read an advance reading copy.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The path is about the path you take in life. It will not always be a smooth easy walk on the beach, sometimes it’ll be climbing over rocks and crossing rivers. At some point the path will diverge and you will have to choose a side. No matter what you choose it will be right because you make your own path. I absolutely love the artwork in this book. it is the best thing about it. I really enjoyed the story however it feels like it ends about five pages too soon.

[Elizabeth]

Gorgeous pictures, written like a graduation gift (and a nice alternative to Oh, the Places You'll Go!). There's a punctuation error that bothers me, so I am pretending that one of the periods is a very round comma. Did I mention the lovely illustrations?

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

'The Path' with story and art by Bob Staake is a picture book with encouraging advice on life's journey.

Life's journey has it's ups and downs, and while it may seem similar to others, it it all ours to discover. That is told here by New Yorker cover artist is lush illustrations and prose. As a bonus, the book jacket includes a poster of The Path.

I received a review copy from Astra Publishing House and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Joy Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You walk along a well-worn path that many others have taken before you.” Thus begins this metaphorical story about life.

I fell in love with this lyrical story.

The illustrations show in dramatic detail what our path may look like. This introduces many opportunities for parent and child to have discussions.

[Melissa Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this picture book. It's simple, but is filled with deep meaning making it perfect for all ages.
After reading this I honestly thought it would be a wonderful gift to give anyone who is graduating. I love the message and will most certainly add this to our school library.
Thank you NetGalley and Astra Books for Young Readers for my ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Marcie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pairing this with other end of the year inspirationals and will see if it works for upper elementary. I like the changing of the character's color, and the feeling that it is both cultural and gender neutral. There are additional materials at https://astrapublishinghouse.com/reso...

[Thomas Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 'path' was fun, and I liked the different metaphors which could be taken to symbolize a variety of different things depending on the reader. But the ending was even better.

I don't think a kid reading this will get as much out of it as an adult. So yes, this is a kids book, but it isn't great at that - better as a grown-up book. :-)

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is good in that it has simple text that appeals to little kids, but a universal message that older kids would also resonate with about all the directions you can go in life. It would make a nice gift book or read-aloud discussion book for that reason. I can see a storyteller being able to make this interactive, too.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like this is the perfect book to read, share, and give to our children who are at milestones in their lives (birth, birthdays, graduations, religious rites of passage...) to remind them that the path may sometimes be steep and scary and other times gentle and beautiful, but they always have a choice to choose their own paths. LOVE IT!

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm... Yes and no. This looked great, with craft in the diverse cartoonish landscapes our character is taking its walk (of life) through. It shows in nice fashion then the ups and downs of life, in a simple metaphor, but I don't know if such an idea as is in the ending really rings true.

[Shauna Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautiful book, the illustrations were bright and colorful; the text takes us on a journey down the path of life which isn't always going to be easy. This would be a great addition to any library or classroom and would make a great graduation gift.

Highly recommend.

[Nita Ankrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely book. The character starts out on a journey in which he finds beauty, danger, and obstacles, as well as easy to navigate paths. I enjoyed the illustrations, and felt that they added to the tone of each page and the author's message. This is definitely a book that I will purchase.

[Alissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bravo, my daughter who is about to turn six loves this book. We have been reading about once a day now for two weeks. She loves the illustrations, and the overall beauty of this story. It has lead to some great discussions at dinner time also.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a sweet book! Add this to the list of possible books to give to students who are graduating. I'm going to share this book with students in my college-level writing class to help them think about the writing process.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

The path that you walk at times will be easy and well worn, but there will be times when the path has obstacles that must be overcome. And then when the path splits in two directions, how will you know which way to go? You’ll know because you will create your own path.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations depicting a journey through landscapes. Simple text that's easy for kids to follow along.

I received an advanced reader from Net Galley.

[Binxie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Think picture book to give for a graduation gift. The road of life is not straight or flat or predictable, but this book assures its reader that they will create their own path, just right for them.