PICTURE BOOK REVIEW: Farmhouse by Sophie Blackall
ABOUT THE BOOK
This glorious new picture book from two-time Caldecott Medalist Sophie Blackall is as lavish and moving a tribute to a storied, beloved place as Hello Lighthouse.
Over a hill, at the end of a road, by a glittering stream that twists and turns stands a farmhouse.
Step inside the dollhouse-like interior of Farmhouse and relish in the daily life of the family that lives there, rendered in impeccable, thrilling detail. Based on a real family and an actual farmhouse where Sophie salvaged facts and artifacts for the making of this spectacular work, page after page bursts with luminous detail and joy. Join the award-winning, best-selling Sophie Blackall as she takes readers on an enchanting visit to a farmhouse across time, to a place that echoes with stories.
REVIEW
Sophie Blackall hits it out of the park with this stunning new picture book. As she explains in her author's note in the back matter, this book was inspired by a real place and real people. The amount of work she went to to learn about the history of the people and house is astounding. The photographs included with the author's note provide a fascinating glimpse into the work that she did. As for the book itself, the poetic text shares with readers what life was like for those who lived in the farmhouse. The family she presents had 12 children and a working farm. This family comes through as a real life family with conflict, chores, and challenges. While the text is lovely and would be great for reading aloud, it's the pictures that truly blew me away. The incredible detail makes each spread well worth studying. The layering she used in her illustrations includes bits and pieces from the old house itself, making the reader feel as if they are holding a piece of the house in their hands. The intricate combination of paint and collage makes for illustrations that feel like they have real depth. I loved the way Blackall integrated her own journey into the story, showing the way that a place can touch many long after it's gone. I shall be very surprised if this book doesn't win awards with it's precision and beauty.
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