Beneath - by Cori Doerrfeld (Hardcover)

About the Book

Finn is in a bad mood, so his grandfather takes him on a walk in the forest, and tells him about all the things that are beneath the surface of plants and animals--and even people.

Book Synopsis

In this stunning story from New York Times bestselling creator Cori Doerrfeld, a child and their grandfather take a walk in the woods and discover more about themselves.

Finn is in a horrible mood and doesn't want to talk about it. After some persuading, though, they agree to go for a hike with Grandpa. Throughout their forest walk, they see many different things: big, strong trees with networks of roots growing underneath, still water with schools of fish swimming below, and an expectant bird with eggs nestled under her. It's when the pair pass fellow hikers that Finn realizes that people, just like the elements of nature, are more than they appear. Grandpa explains that sometimes beneath a person who seems like they won't understand what you're feeling, is someone feeling the exact same way.

This sweet and tender picture book celebrates our similarities, differences, and that there's always more under the surface of what we can see.

Review Quotes

An American Library Association Notable Children's Book of 2024
An Amazon Best Book of the Month for January 2023
An NPR Books We Love
A CCBC Choices Best Book of 2023
A Minnesota Book Awards winner
A Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award nominee
A Star of the North Award nominee
A 2024 Bank St College Best Books pick
A 2025 North Carolina Children's Book Award nominee
A 2026 Illinois Monarch Award nominee

"Beneath the surface of Cori Doerrfeld's quiet story lies a deep emotional intelligence, and like her other bestselling book The Rabbit Listened, this one will open up important conversations between readers of all ages."--Minh Lê, author of Drawn Together and Enlighten Me (NPR holiday gift guide)

"Artistically and emotionally compelling...brisk enough for the very young and affecting enough for older [readers]."--School Library Journal

* "Beneath is a rare picture book that truly meets both young readers and adults where they are."--BookPage, starred review

* "No need to scratch beneath the surface of this text to find the glint of gold. It's apparent right from the start."--Kirkus, starred review

"A poignant picture book that encourages [us] to remember that much of life is hidden from view."--The Wall Street Journal

"There's plenty [in this original picture book] to discuss on various levels.... The inviting digital art works seamlessly with the well-worded text."--Booklist

"Doerrfeld subtly guides readers....negative spaces within the softly textured but vibrantly hued digital illustrations depict X-Ray-like perspectives of the items "beneath" each scene..."
--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"A subtle message buoyed by thoughtful...reveals."--Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Cori Doerrfeld is the New York Times bestselling author-illustrator of The Rabbit Listened and has also created art for such books as That's Life! and Help Mom Work from Home! Originally from Illinois, Cori moved to Minnesota for college and quickly fell in love with the state's natural beauty. This book is her homage to the North Shore along Lake Superior as well as the magnificence and mystery one may find when surrounded by nature. It is also a nod to her dad and Grandpa Lenny and an examination of the many layers that make up the human experience. Today, Cori can still be found exploring Minnesota--now with her husband, two children, and rescue dog, Jinx.