Burgess, Matthew. Fireworks. Cátia Chien, Illus. Clarion, 05/2025. [44]pp. Picture Book. Trade $19.99. 978-0-0632-1672-3. GRADES Preschool–3. OUTSTANDING.
A dazzling presentation of an idyllic summer day, from the joy of morning’s first light to a night of impressive fireworks. Beautifully paced poetic language comes vividly alive through extraordinary expressive mixed media illustrations of pastels, pencil, paint, and scratchboard. Powerful full-bleed spreads highlight hot pinks and yellows contrasted with blacks and smoky blues, successfully capturing the magic of fireworks as experienced by two exuberant brown-skinned siblings. Perfectly timed city sounds and perfectly placed fold-outs lead finally to the stillness of being tucked in with “the gentlest kaboom kaboom kaboom … within.”
Alexandre Petrakis—San Francisco Public Library