SEARCHING

A lone, melancholy protagonist changes its floor-staring routine to engage with new friends and the world around it.

As pedestrians walk past Serch (a fuzzy creature with a ghostly complexion, morose expression, and downward-facing gaze), they all offer the same friendly greeting: “Hello, what are you doing?” Without looking up, Serch responds simply: “Searching.” Ramona the Bear rides past on a bicycle; Rosita (aptly rose-colored) skateboards past, ladder in hand and a pink cape flapping behind; cowboy-boots–wearing Trish and Tresh carry a tree between the two; and Orange and Lemon drive a three-wheeled truck stocked with grapes and watermelons, the word “Frutas” written on its door. Across a double-page spread split into four panels, a pink bird wearing glasses flies over Serch. “Suddenly, an unexpected thing landed on its head,” and only then does Serch look up. The spreads that follow are colorful, full of myriad fanciful creatures, houses, trees, sun, moon, constellations, and more. Therein a search-and-find ensues. This import features digital media, and de Dios does a fair job of creating unpretentious, fun compositions. The concluding spread includes free space on which young readers can doodle, and the detailed endpapers showcase various objects scattered throughout the book in the front and the characters in the back; these interactive elements will help this story find fans.

A simple search-and-find with an easy message for curious, perceptive young readers.