Publisher's Weekly Review
A "The House That Jack Built" narrative structure gives a night of stargazing galactic dimensions in this expansive picture book. As the sun sets, a child cuddles on a blanket with two affectionate caregivers, all of whom are portrayed with brown skin. "This is the blanket where Violet sits,/ eating a sandwich, an apple, and chips," the rhythmic verse opens, before opening outward to encompass the city, planet, sun, solar system, galaxies, and "the known universe, past comprehension,/ billions of light-years in every direction." Befitting Wolf's pleasing cumulative prose, Tobia's pencil and digital renderings offer varied perspectives, from close-ups of the trio--clad in headlamps as they position a telescope and point at the sky--to macro views of outer space, an arrow indicating Violet's position. Circling to a conclusion, the creators jointly emphasize the mystery and majesty of the universe, encouraging wondrous space-filled bedtime musing. Ages 3--7. (Aug.)
Booklist Review
Violet and her parents walk to a hilltop in a city park, hauling provisions and supplies, including a telescope. Sitting on a blanket, they enjoy a picnic as the sun sets and then turn their attention to the darkening sky. The text shifts its focus progressively from the family, their city, their planet, its moon, its sun, its solar system, and its spiral galaxy within thousands of clustered galaxies, encouraging listeners to consider the vastness of space: "Here's the known universe, past comprehension, / billions of light-years in every direction, / and billions of galaxies out in the black. / There might be a Violet out there, looking back." Step by step, using the rhyme, rhythm, and repeated images reminiscent of "The House That Jack Built," the narrative returns to Violet sitting on her blanket in the park. Wolf uses the nursery rhyme's structure effectively, sending listeners' imaginations soaring before bringing them back to the familiar. Tobia's pencil drawings, digitally enhanced with color and texture, create warm, inviting scenes in this mind-expanding picture book for young stargazers.
