Absolutely stunning illustrations. Not very many words, but the text adds up to a narrative with a distinct theme of 'belonging'. This is the type of book where you want to discuss what's in the pictures with the child that you're reading to, so the lack of a traditional story is really quite perfect.

So this was at the end of a stack of about 15 Caldecott contenders for the 2017 award. I think I enjoyed it mostly because it was so much better than the rest of the stack--which now a day later seems like a poor reason. I was about to rate it 4, but then it was not that great of a story. What was engaging was how the pictures told an episodic story about searching for belonging, a story that wasn't there in the very simple syncretic text. The story arc was shallow, more a string of events leadi...

A picturebook which celebrates collective nouns as one boy journeys through a landscape rich which wildlife until he finds his native family. With a protagonist who is a cross between Max, Peter Pan and Mowgli, we follow him past goats, clams, ravens, oceans and caterpillars. Each double-page spread has one or two lines 'There was a Turn of Turtles' which play around with meaning (so typical of Smith) and interpretation. With each encounter, the young boy tried to fit in and be accepted until he...

Simply gorgeous, a feast for the eyes and a really lovely, simple story. What a book! 2+*Please note: this review is meant as a recommendation only. Please do not use it in any marketing material, online or in print, without asking permission from me first. Thank you!*

What a creative thinker, creator Lane Smith is (no news there) and what fun to discover this book as I wait to be unsnowed at home. From the charming from front cover, child and kid (similarities will abound) face to face, we go full circle from one tribe to another, while in-between we meet a smack of jellyfish, an army of caterpillars and other groups of intriguing animals, all illustrated with vive and vim. Each animal illustration, in warm earth tones gives a sense of personality to the grou...

I have heard talk about this book--and I think some of it was controversial. I can't remember. But I don't see why there would be. I see nothing extra special in this book. Using collective nouns for various things in nature, and showing that in the illustrations. Showing a child go through an adventure. The ending is OK. I preferred other parts. But I finished it feeling none the wiser, happier, or uplifted. It was just OK for me. (One star for imagination shown in illustration, though.) But I

A young leaf-clad boy cavorts with kids (of the caprine variety) at the opening of this picture-book celebration of a child's journey through the natural world. A colony of penguins, a smack of jellyfish, a pod of whales, an unkindness of ravens, a formation of rocks, a parade of elephants, a troop of monkeys, and many other groupings of creatures follow, as the boy interacts with each. Finally he arrives back at a tribe of kids, this time of the human kind...Described on the front jacket flap a...

Beautiful illustrations & simple, yet captivating text. I am aware of the controversy around the word tribe & the images at the end. However, I believe if we share with our students the many ways the word tribe can be used (i.e. A group of like-minded individuals with whom you feel comfortable), this is not a problem.

Beautiful sponge-paint illustrations show a young boy adventuring with a colony of penguins, a constellation of stars, and other newly-created groups like “a smack of jellyfish”. The language play is as fun to read as the illustrations are to see. This will make a marvelous read aloud for talking about play, and for writing about it, too.

Lane Smith's wonderful and clever illustrations help to categorize groups of all kinds.

I love this book. This story will be great for my students to read about a child who has traveled with groups of turtles, ravens, fish and so on trying to fit in. This book sends the message of finding your "tribe" or group with similar interests and find a sense of belonging.

Beautiful illustrations! Like Grandpa Green, I will be admiring the art in this Lane Smith book over and over again.

by Lane SmithRoaring Brook Press, 2016ISBN 978-1-62672-056-5Picture book, fictionInterest level: K-3Reading level: 1.62 out of 5 stars It was difficult for me to figure out how many stars I wanted to give this book. I ultimately decided on two stars, which is meant to reflect that parts of the book are exceptionally well done, but that ultimately I cannot recommend the book because of the insensitive stereotypical depictions of Native Americans.Within the world of children's literature, there ha...

Illustrations are clever and whimsical and simply incredible. Just look at those colors and texture!What is more, the text is very simple yet charmingly creative, and the book's theme of fitting in and finding your crowd resonated with me deeply :)However, you should be aware that there is an interesting (and occasionally fierce) debate surrounding this book, succinctly summarized by Betsy Bird on A Fuse #8 Production.

A boy sets off on a journey alone and encounters all kinds of creatures along the way. There is a tribe of young goats (kids). There is a colony of penguins, a pod of whales, a flight of butterflies, and much more. He also sees different groups of objects like a formation of rocks, a family of stars, and a growth of plants. Finally his journey ends as he meets up with a tribe of children (kids) who wear outfits of leaves just like he does. He is clearly home again.This book is filled with collec...

Edited 7/15/2016: I was discussing this book with a colleague and a concern about the use of the word tribe combined with the images on the final spread was brought up. Although in my initial reading, I didn't interpret it that way, I can see the concern that others have expressed. I feel it's important to be aware of concerns in picture books such as this, so I'll direct you to Debbie Reese's post about it (with links to others) so you can be aware of the concerns. http://americanindiansinchild...

y-i-k-e-s

I received a copy of this title from PanMacmillan Australia for review.A Top Book of 2017 pickTen Second Synopsis:A small boy takes an exciting journey through the collective nouns of all sorts of creatures and natural phenomenon, arriving at a delightful play on words.It was the stark white-blue tones of the cover that caught my eye with this book, quickly followed by the absolutely adorable hairy goats and finally, the cheeky little protagonist hiding amongst the huddle. I couldn't begin to gu...

Lane Smith provides simple words & stunning illustrations that will capture readers' attention at any age! The book follows a lost kid trying to find his "tribe." Young readers will love the alliteration & whimsical pictures while older readers will be able to discover hidden themes about fitting in & finding your "people." This would be great as beginning of the year read aloud! Adding this to my "Mock Caldecott" book stack for 2017.

Not quite the magic of Grandpa Green, but a significant picture book in its own right. A boy searches for his people, but takes time along his journey to enjoy the beings and objects that nature offers. In the end, he comes upon his own tribe, imparting the message to never give up finding where you truly fit.The sparse text consists of an array of collective nouns for animals and other things found in nature. The art carries most of the storytelling weight. The earth-toned palette and the leaf