THERE

A little girl is ready to leave town and wander over green hills and valleys. She is going There, which brings up a lot of questions. What will she find? Made concrete through the idea of travel, There serves as a metaphor for growing up as the girl wonders about a variety of concepts (time, size, knowledge, childhood pleasures, struggles she may encounter). Unsure of whether to continue, she considers an imaginative haze of artful and luminous landscapes that portray her thoughts (Will she still be allowed to be silly? Will she learn to count the stars and fix broken things?) and uncertainties (What if there are dragons? She knows how to handle dragons). Thought-provoking and comforting, this selection leaves room for high-minded existential interpretation but still has an innocence that is childlike and accessible as it addresses the pleasures and pitfalls of growing up. Is the girl truly ready to go There? She isn’t sure. But there’s no rush—and she is awfully busy. It might be better to wait for tomorrow. (Picture book. 3-8)