UNDER THE SAME SKY

Animals around the world are united in living “under the same sky” in this die-cut picture book for the very young.

What do cats on a rooftop, owls in trees, lions on plains, penguins in snow, deer, dolphins, bears, foxes, and flamingos all have in common? In simple, rhyming text, answers appear through cloud- or heart-shaped holes in the pages: “We live under the same sky”; “We feel the same love”; “we play the same games”; “we sing the same songs”; “we dream the same dreams / and we dream them… / …together.” The textured illustrations favor darkened hues of blue, green, teal, and brighter, natural hues of green and gold, with charming, collagelike animals looking at each other or at the sky. For grown-ups wanting to introduce ideas of world peace and unity to young children without broaching the messiness of humanity, this visually pleasing trip across the world’s natural settings could fill the bill. The book’s main attraction, the cutouts that offer a surprise upon first reading, is a lovely effect, though the fragility of the pages may hasten their end—not necessarily a bad thing, as the slight text has little staying power as well.

Not entirely new, but beautiful and comforting enough to be a reliable bedtime story.