Sunday, January 9, 2011

Red Wagon's first review!

Wow, I don't know how I can top last year, but I will give it my best, and 2011 has started well so far. Starting with THE QUIET BOOK returning to the New York Times Bestseller's List at #4!

In other news, I have received the first review for RED WAGON, and it's a good one (whew!) a starred review from Kirkus.
As the writer and illustrator I am doubly nervous about how my book will be received.


Red Wagon by Renata Liwska

Kirkus
Starred Review
A mundane task fills with delicious thrills.

Lucy asks permission to play with her new red wagon, so mom agreeably sends her to market with it—but, hmm, "That sounded like a chore. Lucy didn't want to do chores." Never fear; this journey is anything but dull. Adroitly pairing innocently understated prose with pictures of simple but imaginative adventures, Liwska invites readers to giggle at Lucy's impressive escapades that unfold entirely visually. When the rainy countryside becomes a roaring ocean, the wagon's a sailboat riding cresting waves. The wagon also becomes a rocket ship, a train, a construction-site truck and a covered wagon. At the carnival/circus (market), "Lucy neatly loaded the wagon with vegetables from her list"—by juggling them with help from a trapeze flyer. The illustrator's pencil work is nimble, her backgrounds airy and free, with hatched grasses for these child animals—cousins of her characters in Deborah Underwood's Quiet Book (2010)—to romp in. The colors glow softly. Red wagon's last role? The perfect nap-spot for a girl all played out.

A winner. (Picture book. 2-5)


The review is from here : http://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/childrens-books/renata-liwska/red-wagon/

Now only a month and half until it get's to the critics who matter the most, children and parents - and other readers too!

12 comments:

The Neal Family said...

What a beautiful, beautiful book. I can't wait to own it. The Quiet book is by far the sweetest thing I've ever read.

Deborah Underwood said...

What a wonderful review--congratulations! I can't wait to see the book!

Alicia Padrón said...

Aww that's awesome Renata!! So happy for you! I think you deserve every starred review and award out there.

Just the other day I was saying on twitter how unfair it is that The Quiet Book could never win a Caldecott medal.. just because you are from Canada.
Silly rules I say! Your book totally deserves that silver sticker lady. :o)

Jacqueline Hudon-Verrelli said...

Congratulations Renata! It looks and sounds beautiful. Can't wait to see it :)

Mónica said...

Wonderful illustrations, i like very much know your blog. Have a nice day

pd. I know your blog for Ester Garcia, Spanish illustrator

Katarzyna Sadowska said...

Pięknie wydana książeczka i te kolorowe kartki, przejrzyste rysunki milusińskich zwierzątek....przyjemnie popatrzeć, że nie straszy dzieci...no i nie ma maziajów co udają to, czym nie są :)

Jennifer K. Mann said...

Wonderful! I can't wait to see it.
For years I pulled my children around our little town in a red wagon, and it became our trade mark. Now they are too big, but shopkeepers still ask. There is nothing like a good red wagon!

Renata said...

Hi Jennifer, That's lovely!

Thank you everyone, It's good to hear from you!!

Shirley said...

A big huge contratulations to you! I am a huge fan and this is so well deservded..your books are gems! I can't wait to get my very own copy.

Shirley said...

oh, so sorry about the typo! Well deserved, Renata!!!

Emma's World said...

I just want to tell you that I adore your work. The Quiet Book is one of my favorite children's picture books and I picked up the Red Wagon a month ago. I love love love it. Every week I talk about a new Children's book that I recommend, and this week I spoke about The Red Wagon. I cant wait for the Loud Book to come out. Congratulations!

http://emmawillcutyou.blogspot.com/2011/04/book-of-week-red-wagon.html

The Wagon Store said...

what a beautiful. wonderful review..!!
canopy top