My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What If expresses creativity as a matter of heart and mind. For they are the well from which stories and art are drawn. Through any means and without inhibition, art can be made with any resource you may find around you. Be it a pencil, paper, and paints or any found object that, with a little imagination can be repurposed and used to create a masterpiece.
In the author’s note Samantha shares that this book’s first draft came after a flood that caused her to have to evacuate her home with nothing but her dog and a sketchbook. Proving that creativity can still thrive even when there are limited resources.
What I love most about this book are the layers of mixed media throughout, mirroring the creativity of the little girl at the center of the story. Using a combination of ordinary art supplies and found objects, illustrator Mike Curato certainly demonstrates that “you can create with just about anything,” as he points out in the author and illustrator note at the end of the book. The illustrations are so vibrantly colorful, imaginative, and playful; skillfully complementing Samantha Berger’s artistically expressive text.
This is one to add to the collection and is sure to be enjoyed by my K-5 students.
Shout-Outs
Samantha Berger | http://www.samanthaberger.com/
Mike Curato | https://www.mikecurato.com/
CeCeLibrarian’s Book Blog 