The Blanket Where Violet Sits - by Allan Wolf (Hardcover)

About the Book

Violet and her family venture to a local park to partake in some late-night stargazing. Telescope and space book in tow, Violet is ready to explore and discover the night sky for herself, wherever that may lead.

Book Synopsis

Cozy and expansive at once, this warm bedtime book reminds us that our aspirations--no matter how big--deserve the universe.

A gorgeous picture-book ode to wonder and safety, told in cumulative rhyme and with earthy illustrations evoking brick brownstones and crisp autumn skies. In a galaxy spiraling white, on a small blue planet with a moon so pretty, in a green park in a bustling city, a little girl sits on a blanket with her family, eating a sandwich, an apple, and chips. Equipped with telescope and space book, Violet gazes up into the great beyond, imagining a rocket ride to the stars . . . and a soft, sleepy return to her blanket. Lyrical and meditative, this is the perfect picture book to savor and share during a late-night picnic under the moon--or anytime.

Review Quotes

Tobia's perspectives shift from Violet and parents, gazing through a telescope, to an aerial view of their city, to the far reaches of the solar system, the galaxy, and beyond, and back again to Violet. . . . The snack ("a sandwich, an apple, and chips"), the memorable rhyme, and the very big idea all affirm that the child is at this moment the center of the vast universe. . . . . Stellar fuel for the heart and mind and an expansive storytime choice.
--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

In this preschooler's introduction to the universe, a little girl's city-set picnic with two loving caregivers zooms from the titular blanket out to "the known universe, past comprehension," and back. . . . As Tobia's paintings take in the solar system and the galaxy, they retain a warm informality while also achieving a sense of awe. Between the tried-and-true narrative structure and the centering of this abundantly loved child, this must be the coziest exploration of the universe ever.
--The Horn Book

Wolf's cumulative verse, which begins with cozy informality, turns statelier as thoughts of orbiting planets segue to consideration of our galaxy, clouds of galaxies, and the implication of possible limitlessness we can't quite comprehend. . . exudes warmth.
--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Step by step, using the rhyme, rhythm, and repeated images reminiscent of "The House That Jack Built," the narrative returns to Violet sitting on her blanket in the park. Wolf uses the nursery rhyme's structure effectively, sending listeners' imaginations soaring before bringing them back to the familiar. Tobia's pencil drawings, digitally enhanced with color and texture, create warm, inviting scenes in this mind-expanding picture book for young stargazers.
--Booklist

A 'The House That Jack Built' narrative structure gives a night of stargazing galactic dimensions in this expansive picture book. . . . Befitting Wolf's pleasing cumulative prose, Tobia's pencil and digital renderings offer varied perspectives. . . Circling to a conclusion, the creators jointly emphasize the mystery and majesty of the universe, encouraging wondrous space-filled bedtime musing.
--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

About the Author

Allan Wolf is the author of many books for young people, including the novel The Watch that Ends the Night, which was named one of the 50 Best Young Adult Novels of All Time by Booklist; the novel Junius Leak and the Spiraling Vortex of Doom; the nonfiction graphic novel The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur, illustrated by Jose Pimienta; and the poetry collection The Gift of the Broken Teacup, illustrated by Jade Orlando. His books celebrate his love of research, history, science, and poetry. He is a Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist, a two-time winner of the North Carolina Young Adult Book Award, and a recipient of the Bank Street College Claudia Lewis Award. Allan Wolf lives in Roanoke, Virginia, with his wife, his sister, and a dog named Mo. Learn more at www.allanwolf.com.

Lauren Tobia is the author-illustrator of Oscar's Tower of Flowers as well as the illustrator of several books for children, including the Anna Hibiscus books by Atinuke, Baby's Got the Blues by Carol Diggory Shields, Happy in Our Skin by Fran Manushkin, and Are You Sure, Mother Bear? by Amy Hest. Lauren Tobia lives in Bristol, England.