Surprise - by Mies Van Hout (Hardcover)

About the Book

The award-winning author-illustrator of Happy is back to celebrate the journey of parenthood. Mies van Hout's vivid and expressive chalk birds convey the joys and challenges of raising little ones.

Book Synopsis

Back in print at last! Award-winning author-illustrator Mies Van Hout celebrates the joys and challenges of parenthood as vibrant birds grow their families.

Set against Mies van Hout's iconic black backgrounds and utilizing the same vibrant chalk style of the internationally bestselling Happy, each spread of Surprise shows vivid birds portraying the emotions of parenthood, from "marveling" to "teasing" to "listening."

This lively book is perfect for both new and experienced parents alike, as they will resonate with the emotional and ephemeral journey of parenthood. This new, high-value edition of Surprise features extra-heavy pages that, like the love parents have for their children, will stand the test of time and repeated readings.

Award-winning author-illustrator Mies van Hout brings humor and charm to the exhilarating adventure of parenthood. Her distinctive paintings are cheerful and bold, and her work has been published in more than twenty countries.

"Extraordinary colors and single words describe the journey of bird parents and children....While certainly a work that will appeal to parents, it will also delight children with the profusion of color and the single words illustrated with so much energy and imagination."--Kirkus *Starred Review*

"Surprise, which has humor as well as sweetness, should appeal to children and perhaps especially to their mothers, whether they are still ['longing'] for a new hatchling or at last letting go."--New York Times

Review Quotes

Praise for Surprise

"Extraordinary colors and single words describe the journey of bird parents and children....While certainly a work that will appeal to parents, it will also delight children with the profusion of color and the single words illustrated with so much energy and imagination"--Kirkus Reviews ★ Starred Review

"Surprise, which has humor as well as sweetness, should appeal to children and perhaps especially to their mothers, whether they are still "yearning" for a new hatchling or at last letting go."--New York Times

"This graphically interesting and beautiful book will have special appeal to adults, especially those who will recognize and cherish the different stages of parenthood... the book could be used to encourage children to explore the stunning illustration."--School Library Journal

"Filled with wonder and joy, hope and poignancy, encapsulating the miraculous parallel journeys of parenthood and childhood."--Smithsonian Book Dragon

"This is such a great way to teach children to recognize different emotions. I really like that many of the emotions are similar. Longing and Hoping are similar but have a slightly different connotation from Expecting... I am delighted with this book! It's so beautiful and meaningful!"--Luminous Libro

About the Author

AUTHOR BIO
Mies van Hout (1962) studied at the Arts Academy in Groningen, where she majored in graphic design. She has been working as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer since 1989. Over the years, she illustrated quite a lot of children's books. Her illustrations are cheerful and witty, painted skillfully and distinctly.