Author teaches readers to marvel at our world
Canadian author/illustrator Barbara Reid is coming to Lethbridge’s The Word On The Street Festival today, and she is bringing with her a new picture book entitled “Picture the Sky.”
The title of Reid’s book invites us to imagine what “picture the sky” brings to mind for each of us. For me, it was lying on the grass, looking up at the sky and seeing pictures in the clouds. This is what I thought lay ahead inside the book. But not so!
Reid, in the first page of her book, tells us, “There is more than one way to picture the sky.” She does this with her magnificent illustrations, done by spreading and modelling plasticine to create relief images, and through her one-line text. Each page and picture evokes in the reader a feeling about the sky, and at the end of the book she invites us to answer the question “How do you feel?” It is a magical story that makes us think about this marvel in our world and all that it provides for us.
I would recommend “Picture the Sky” be read to children ages five to nine, and discussed.
It would provide an excellent starting point for an art project with plasticine. Not playdough– plasticine (the texture and smell is very different). The one-line text is perfect for early readers who could read the book independently. Every school, public and home library should have this book on their shelves! Via email, Barbara Reid answered three questions:
What inspired you to write “Picture the Sky?”
Reid: When I was working on my book “Picture a Tree,” I spent a lot of time looking at trees. It’s hard to look at trees without noticing the sky, so the idea of a companion book has been with me for a few years. Even though “Tree” was a kind of template, the sky is a very different (and BIG) subject, and it took a long time for the book to take shape. I kept a file with heaps of notes and photos and reference material. Have you noticed how often children’s artwork features the sky? I wanted to open up the possibility of representing the sky as more than just a blue stripe, a rainbow or ever popular sunglass-wearing sun. I was inspired by many artists’ representations of the sky, particularly the Group of Seven. I also wanted to express our emotional connection to the sky, but through a child’s eye. It was tremendous fun creating northern lights, lightning storms, fog and more, all with plasticine. As with “Tree,” I hope that “Picture the Sky” encourages readers to notice the natural world.
What are you most looking forward to at The Word On The Street festival?
Reid: Meeting old friends and making new ones, and all the fascinating authors and artists! I’m looking forward to hearing my friend Margriet Ruurs speak about her beautiful book “Stepping Stones,” and to learn more about Svetlana Chmakova’s work, and as many others as I can fit in the day. I’m very excited to give the very first reading of my new book. And of course I am looking forward to the big western sky! What is next for you?
Reid: I have a few story ideas and am looking forward to some quiet time to explore them.
I was fortunate to see Barbara Reid many years ago with her illustration board, hear how she creates her work and have her read one of her books to me. Please come to the festival and have this wonderful experience, too! Barbara Reid will be reading her book, “Picture the Sky,” in the Able Dental Kids’ Corner at 1 p.m. “Picture the Sky” will be available for purchase at the University of Lethbridge Bookstore Tent. You can purchase it and then have Barbara Reid sign it for you from 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. How would that make you feel?