From: Steven Engelfried <sengelfried>
Date: Thu, 3 Feb 2005 17:40:47 -0800 (PST)

Coming On Home Soon" is one of those simple, subtle books that does everything just right. Lewis' watercolors convey the time and place, and even more importantly, the mood of the story. You get such a strong sense of the closeness of that family. Most of the text is about Ada Ruth missing Mama, but the illustrations bring out the warmth between Grandma and the girl. The story might have been just about the sadness of waiting, but the pictures mean it's also about the comfort of having someone you love to wait and hope with. The three oval framed illustrations are sort of like imagined messages the girl gets, another delicate touch. And the ending is very powerful. Words and pictures supply what looks like a cozy, hopeful conclusion...you're pretty sure Mama will be home, just not sure when, and that feels okay. The words are finished, but then you turn the page and there's Mama walking up to the house. Very well done, and I'm glad the committee honored such a restrained (but still complex) artistic achievement.
 
- Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library
  12375 SW 5th Street
  Beaverton, OR 97005
  503R6%99 sengelfried at yahoo.com
 
 
 
 

                
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Received on Thu 03 Feb 2005 07:40:47 PM CST