Beagles and Books is honored to be part of the World So Wide blog tour! World So Wide is written by Allison McGhee and illustrated by Kate Alizadeh and celebrated its book birthday this week on March 2, 2020. Thanks to Barbara Fisch of Blue Slip Media and Two Lions/Amazon Publishing for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review:
World So Wide is a love letter from parents to their child. At the beginning of the story, a baby is born and the parents’ immense love for their child is conveyed through both McGhee’s lyrical text and Alizadeh’s warm illustrations. Senses are also integral to the child’s firsts, for the parents explore what will be the first sights they see, sounds they hear, things they smell, and things they touch.
The child grows up and Alizadeh’s gorgeous illustrations share simple moments such as the family walking in a field to milestones of the child taking its first steps. What I love most about World So Wide is that McGhee’s expressive text and Alizadeh’s delicate artwork continue the story revealing that the child has now grown into an adult and is blessed with a baby of his own.
World So Wide is a quiet book with a big message, which is the boundless love between a parent and child. It is a heartwarming story for parents to read to their young children and would make a great gift for expecting parents.
Praise for World So Wide
★“While it will certainly touch new parents, Pulitzer honoree McGhee’s text and Alizadeh’s tender pictures will delight readers of all ages.” —Booklist (starred review)
“Breezy illustrations are pleasingly attuned to the author’s spontaneous verse as both reveal the marvel—and regeneration—of human life.” —Publishers Weekly
“Smudgily outlined illustrations bring a soft but bright energy to the author’s tender text. Pleasant and sentimental ponderings for new parents and children.” —Kirkus Reviews
About the Author:
Alison McGhee is the author of many highly acclaimed works. Her children’s books include the #1 New York Times bestseller Someday, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds; the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award–winning Bink & Gollie, cowritten with Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Tony Fucile; and the Christopher Award–winning Firefly Hollow, illustrated by Christopher Denise. Her novels for adults include Pulitzer Prize nominee Shadow Baby and Never Coming Back. She lives in Minnesota, Vermont, and California. Learn more at www.alisonmcghee.com.
Twitter: @alisonmcghee
Instagram: alisonmcgheewriter
About the Illustrator:
Kate Alizadeh is the author-illustrator of Quiet and the illustrator of That Is Actually MY Blanket, Baby! by Angie Morgan. Her distinctive hand lettering appears on the covers of Unboxed and Second Best Friend by Non Pratt, and her black-and-white illustrations are featured in Proud: Stories, Poetry and Art on the Theme of Pride, compiled by Juno Dawson. A graduate of Falmouth University, she is currently based in Northern Ireland. Learn more at www.katealizadeh.net.
Twitter: @katealizadeh
Instagram: katealizadeh
Enter Beagles & Books’ Giveaway:
One lucky winner will receive a copy of World So Wide, courtesy of Two Lions/Amazon (U.S. addresses only). There are now multiple ways to enter the giveaway.
- Follow me @lauramossa on Twitter and retweet my World So Wide giveaway tweet.
- If you are not on Twitter, fill out the Google form below.
This giveaway is open from March 6-13 2020 and ends at 10:00 p.m. EST. Winner will be announced on March 14, 2020.
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