A family's woodland hike takes them through many twists and turns--but it's so much better to get lost (and found!) when they're together.
On a day that's perfect for being outside in nature, Smudge and his family head for a hike in the mountains. But Willa's fussing, Mom's stressing, Grandpa's telling the same old stories all over again, and Smudge will absolutely NOT be good, thank you very much.
When nature's beauty doesn't bring them together right away, could wandering from the path be just what they need?
Faith Pray's gentle and stunning watercolors stir up a forest full of emotions in this subtle exploration of feeling distant from the ones you love and finding your way back to each other again.
"This high-spirited story is notable for its portrayal of loving and very realistic family dynamics.... A tale readers will easily get lost in."-- Kirkus Reviews
"Pray depicts the group's less-united moments with empathy instead of judgment.... An ultimately cozy portrayal of a day that begins as memorable for the wrong reasons, only to end with Smudge's loved ones learning to find their way--together."-- Horn Book
"A sweet book celebrating family, togetherness, belonging, and love."-- School Library Journal
"Adults will recognize familiar struggles, and kids will be heartened by impish, clever Smudge's ability to solve a problem."-- Booklist
Faith Pray (yes, that's really her name!) comes from a family of talented children's book creators, but her extraordinary talents for capturing light and shadow and conveying emotion and story through line work are all her own. She also illustrated One Day by Joanna Ho and is the author-illustrator of Perfectly Imperfect Mira and The Starkeeper. Faith lives with her husband and children plus a helpful cat and a mischievous chocolate lab puppy in the Pacific Northwest.
Target age: 4 to 8
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pub Date: August 20, 2024
0.39" H x 8.4" L x 11.6" W
40 pages
Hardcover