The Door That Had Never Been Opened Before - by Mrs & Mr MacLeod (Hardcover)

About the Book

The Grunions' house had many doors. But there was one door, that had never been opened before!

The door that had never been opened before was built closed shut, locked tight, and never opened for a reason. A reason that nobody knew.

Geraldine opened every door she ever found. Geraldine opened every door and went everywhere and met everyone and did EVERYTHING. Everything, except ONE THING. Geraldine had never opened the Door that had NEVER been opened before . . . NOT yet!

The Door That Had Never Been Opened Before is a contemporary look at a timeless question--with hints of Shel Silverstein and a smattering of Edward Gorey. Fantastically illustrated with dipped pen-and-ink cutout art, photographed in a three-dimensional stage diorama and hand-colored, this children's picture book is a HIT from the talented Mrs. & Mr. MacLeod.

Hardcover picture book; 48 pages; 8.5 x 10.9 in.

Book Synopsis

Mrs. & Mr. MacLeod, authors of the award-winning How to Eat a Book, present a whimsical, thought-provoking picture book about coming face-to-face with the unknown. Beautifully illustrated and lyrically written, The Door That Had Never Been Opened Before has strong read-aloud appeal for families, libraries, booksellers, and educators.

The Grunions' house had many doors. But there was one door, that had never been opened before!

The door that had never been opened before was built closed shut, locked tight, and never opened for a reason. A reason that nobody knew.

Geraldine opened every door she ever found. Geraldine opened every door and went everywhere and met everyone and did EVERYTHING. Everything, except ONE THING. Geraldine had never opened the Door that had NEVER been opened before . . . NOT yet!

The Door That Had Never Been Opened Before is a contemporary look at a timeless question--with hints of Shel Silverstein and a smattering of Edward Gorey. Fantastically illustrated with dipped pen-and-ink cutout art, photographed in a three-dimensional stage diorama and hand-colored, this children's picture book is a HIT from the talented Mrs. & Mr. MacLeod.

Hardcover picture book; 48 pages; 8.5 x 10.9 in.

Review Quotes

Praise for The Door That Had Never Been Opened Before

"Composed in heavy unfilled lines on paper cutouts floating in low-relief layers with shadows left visible, the pictures brim with life and give convincing depth to the house's high-ceilinged rooms and narrow halls. The rhythmic, occasionally rhymed narrative's free-wheeling typography adds verbal drama to the visual ruckus, to boot. A lock for enthusiastic responses and demands for repeat performances." --Kirkus Reviews

"The three-dimensional energy makes the images ping around as if they really might burst out of the confines of the pages. The visuals perfectly suit the theme of the book."--Booklist

"[D]elightfully riotous . . . . Readers will delight in The Door That Had Never Been Opened Before's kinetic and expressive artwork that's rife with clever details (keep an eye out for the kitten) and high-impact type treatments. They'll have lots to think and talk about when they encounter the book's final pages, which reveal what's beyond the mysterious door and will surely build anticipation for the next rollicking Grunions adventure."--Bookpage

"[T]he characters' irrepressible energy turbocharges the action as well as the title's underlying message about championing discovery."--Publishers Weekly

"[A] lovely piece of optic art accompanied with just the right words." --GeekDad

Praise for How to Eat a Book

"A refreshing book in text and art, with a title that grabs attention, a plot that delivers, and an ending that resonates. No child could possibly resist." --School Library Journal, starred review

"Takes 'battle of the books' to a whole new level." --Kirkus Reviews

"Mrs. & Mr. MacLeod channel their brilliance into a wholly unique, exhilarating package that will leave you in awe." --B&N Reads

"With fun illustrations created to look three-dimensional, your child will laugh and squeal with delight while moving quickly through this book." --Daily Mom

A Kids' Indie Next List picture book
A B&N Most Anticipated Read pick

About the Author

Mrs. & Mr. MacLeod are an award-winning, critically acclaimed author and illustrator team living with their five children in California. Their debut picture book, How to Eat a Book, won the Barnes & Noble Picture Book of the Year Award in 2023.