Hosford, Kate. Infinity and Me. Gabi Swiatkowska, Illus. Pic. Bk. Carolrhoda, 2012. [32]p. $16.95 978-0-7613-6726-0. OUTSTANDING. GRADES 2-4.
Uma can’t sleep because she’s so excited about her new red shoes. Gazing up at the stars, she wonders how to think of something as big as infinity and asks people close to her for help. Each person has a different interpretation, as the illustrations cleverly reveal. Swiatkowska’s whimsical pictures use a dark palette, mixing delicate line drawing with painted patterns. Chickens, bugs, butterflies and assorted hardware flit across the pages of this beautifully designed book. The straightforward text tackles a difficult concept in a fun and imaginative way. “At first I thought that I might like to have recess forever,” says Uma. “But if there’s no school before recess, and no school after recess, is it really recess anymore?” While the questions about infinity keep going, Uma has her Grandmother and her new red shoes to keep her grounded.
Sarah Hodgson, Oakland PL