Drawn Inward - by Daniel Nayeri (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

In this emotionally impactful pantoum picture book from Daniel Nayeri and Matt Rockefeller, a young boy's father helps him navigate his larger-than-life feelings by engaging his five senses.

A fury of feelings.

A boy lost in hurt.

A father always there for him.

When a young boy is asked to clean his room, fear, sadness, shame, confusion, and anger overwhelm him, transforming his house into an unfamiliar maze where monsters lurk. To find his way, he'll need to engage his five senses. Thankfully, his father is there to guide him.

Beautifully illustrated and masterfully written as a cyclical poetic form called a pantoum, Drawn Inward explores the complexities of anxiety and how--through the love and support of those around us--we can find the strength to move forward with hope, clarity, and peace.

Review Quotes

"Broadly appealing. . . . An engaging and imaginative look at the powers of childhood." - Kirkus Reviews

A beautiful, complex depiction of grief. Highly recommended. - School Library Journal

"Sparse text is complemented by awe-inspiring illustration encouraging the reader to take and give this book what they need at any given moment. Steel your hearts. This truly is a masterpiece, a touching accomplishment." - Armadillo Magazine

"A gorgeous tale. A delightful puzzle. But most of all, Drawn Onward is a gift for those who believe books to be living things." - Aaron Becker, author of the Caldecott Honor Book Journey

"A touching, poetic journey through grief, bravery and acceptance, so delectably illustrated I want to eat it with a spoon." - Vera Brosgol, author of the Caldecott Honor Book Leave Me Alone

"It's rare to find a book this clever that is also emotionally powerful. Drawn Onward is special and enduring." - Matt de la Peña, author of Newbery winning Last Stop on Market Street

"Magnificently illuminated, video game-like spreads by Rockefeller (Poesy the Monster Slayer) feature stone ruins, menacing dragons, and ornaments that give the pages a book-of-hours feel. Printz Medalist Nayeri, meanwhile, distills an experience of grief, imparting the importance of seeking time alone to relive moments of shared love." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"A touching triumph of artful collaboration between wordsmithing and world building. Nayeri's text is sparse but heartrending, sparking large questions that drive readers forward and allowing Rockefeller ample space to construct an evocative fantasy world." - Booklist (starred review)

"Award-winning contributors keep delightfully inclusive and accomplished company in this emotionally grounded, compassionate collection. . . . These are not your run-of-the-mill, cape-and-tights-clad superheroes. These are kids with relatable struggles learning to embrace that quirky bit of themselves that makes them unique." - Booklist (starred review)

"A grieving young boy goes on an impossible adventure and returns, healed. The illustrations are so filled with detail that they demand repeat visits, which will prompt little ones and their grown-ups to delve into the ellipses and explore both text and subtext further." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Nayeri's palindromic text is economical yet, despite its brevity, likely to spark readers' curiosity and reflection. The lush, intricately detailed illustrations by Matt Rockefeller (Poesy the Monster Slayer illustrator) use visual pacing and a videogame-like structure to invite close inspection and expand Nayeri's narrative in multilayered ways." - Shelf Awareness