PICTURE BOOK REVIEW: Outside Amelia's Window by Caroline Castro & Anna Sands Budisan

 

OUTSIDE AMELIA'S WINDOW

by Caroline Castro, illustrated by Anna Sands Budisan

Two Lions, 2023

ISBN: 978-1-5420-2785-4

Source: Blue Slip Media

Ages 4-8

All opinions expressed are solely my own.

Book cover & illustrations provided by Blue Slip Media.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR

Caroline Nastro was born and raised in New York City. Her first picture book, The Bear Who Couldn’t Sleep, illustrated by Vanya Nastanlieva, has been translated into three languages and was chosen as a Bank Street Best Picture Book of the Year in Spanish. Outside Amelia’s Window is Anca Sandu Budisan and Caroline Nastro’s second collaboration. Their first book, Fly, Little Bird, Fly!, was published in 2021. Caroline attended the Sorbonne University in Paris, France, and has a master’s degree in theater from Stanford University. She is an award-winning theater director and playwright. Learn more about the author at www.carolinenastro.com.

Anca Sandu Budisan was born in Romania and studied children’s illustration at Cambridge School of Art in England. She is the author and illustrator of the picture books Churchill’s Tale of Tails and The Astonishing Case of the Stolen Stories. She is the illustrator of the Lana Lynn series, written by Rebecca Van Slyke; Gnu and Shrew, written by Danny Schnitzlein; and Fly, Little Bird, Fly!, written by Caroline Nastro. She currently lives in Oregon. Learn more about the artist online at www.ancasandubudisan.com.

Instagram: @ancasan

REVIEWS

“An uplifting tale of birds and bravery.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A gentle reminder of the joy to be found in embracing adventure and expanding horizons.” —Booklist

MY REVIEW

Outside Amelia's Window shares the experience of a young girl as she adjusts to being in a wheelchair and finds the courage to reach out and befriend the kids next door. Inspired by a bird that she helps build a nest and raise babies, the girl reads and imagines the possibilities for the birds as the migrate across the mountains, Central America, and down to Venezuela. The author's comparison of the birds journey and the girl's journey to friendship makes a beautiful metaphor. The pencil and watercolor illustrations sometimes blended digitally to create images of the girl and the birds makes an almost dreamlike background. I found myself rooting for this little girl as she wonders and dreams her way to success. I also loved the way the kids found ways to play together such as building a ramp up to the treehouse.  The tender blend of words and pictures, the girl and the birds makes for a wonderfully sweet, inspiring story that reminded me of even unexpected challenges can be overcome. 

SAMPLE ILLUSTRATIONS