Thursday, April 25, 2013

Welcome in Spring with a Good Book -- Inside My Imagination By Marta Arteaga, Illustrated by Zuzanna Celej (Review)

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in order to write up an honest review.  The views I share are mine and mine alone.






24 Pages, 8.25 x 10.25
Formats: PDF, Hardcover Picture Book, Fixed Layout KF8
Hardcover Picture Book, $15.95 (US $15.95) (CA $17.95)
Publication Date: April 2013
ISBN 9788415503590


Synopsis:


"Inside My ImaginationCharacterizing the imagination as something living and palpable, this fun and whimsical picture book will inspire young readers to let their own imaginations fly. Exalting the value of nurturing imagination, fostering creativity and putting pen to paper in order to develop ideas, this story will enthrall readers of all ages."

My Thoughts:

If the cover art alone doesn't intrigue you, once you start flipping through the pages of this children's book, you will want to sit down and share it with your child.  I have been reading and reviewing a lot of picture books later as part of my "Welcome in Spring with a Good Book" series, but have to say that this book is by far my favorite for its illustrations.  Not only do the girls enjoy having me read this picture book to them, but I am in awe of the whimsical illustrations each and every time I flip through the pages.  If I could draw, I would love to be able to create wonderful stories, as are told in this book with the illustrations alone.  

The first time I sat down to show this book to the girls, I loved how Savannah jumped right in and began pointing to the different illustrations and telling me her rendition of the story.  And, each time since, she continues to do this, but with a different spin on the previous one.  What a vivid imagination she has.  One of the perks of being a parent to a young child I have learned, is that they can get you imagining the impossible again, as their minds are jaded.  They dream without boundaries, and this storybook lets their imaginations run wild.  

The story revolves around a little girl who shows the reader how her imagination takes flight.  As she walks through the door in a magical tree, we are introduced to the likes of unicorn fairies and magicians.  The watercolor illustrations can be enjoyed alongside the simple storyline, or by themselves.  Either way, you will find yourself, like my daughters and I, stopping to admire each one for a short time before moving to the next page.

I have read many books about a child's imagination, and feel that the storyline of this book, is OK.  As an adult, I had trouble trying to piece together the different similes and way in which the little girl is trying to connect both of her worlds, the internal and external.  But, nevertheless, little ones will enjoy this story and illustrations, and will probably want to tell you what the illustrations mean to them, as my daughter does whenever we read this book. 


About the Author:

Marta Arteaga is an award-winning author, a journalist, a playwright, and a screenplay writer. 

About the Illustrator:

Zuzanna Celej is an award-winning children’s books illustrator as well as an artist and a painter whose work includes murals, posters, and advertising campaigns.

Disclosure:  I was sent a copy of this book by the publisher in order to write up an honest review.  The views I share are mine and mine alone.

 

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