PICTURE BOOK REVIEW: Forts by Katie Venit & Kenard Pak
ABOUT THE BOOK
The world is filled with forts.
Tiny worlds within this world,
safe as coat pockets.
Everyone needs a room of their own. A place to hide and play, ponder and dream. Whether it’s a tree house in the backyard or a blanket fort inside, a fort is a magical place filled with imagination and wonder.
Debut author Katie Venit and celebrated illustrator Kenard Pak have crafted a lyrical celebration of the secret spaces we hold so dear. Forts encourages readers to explore the world around them to find the perfect place where they belong.
REVIEW
In this poem about the importance of having our own space, the author highlights forts of all kinds. Inside, outside, tents or tree houses, under the table or built from cushions. Everyone needs a safe space to relax and think, and those spaces can come in all kinds of forms. Under the staircase, in the yard, alone or with friends, forts can provide comfort. The book reminded me of some of the forts I used when I was a child. It brought back a lot of memories. The imagination of a child can turn the simplest box or collection of cushions into something fun and exciting. The book will undoubtedly inspire the creation of all kinds of forts. A book to be shared with friends, family, or even at school. The poem is lovely whether read all together or in selected pieces as the reader(s) contemplate the different kinds of forts and the refuge they can provide. Both a celebration of childhood play and a reminder that all of us need our own space to be ourselves; a space that can be kept private or shared with that special someone. The muted illustrations leave lots of room for memory and imagination, highlighting the lights and darks of such spaces. Highly recommended.
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