Title: What If…
Author: Samantha Berger and Mike Curato
Type: Fiction
Genre: Children’s Book, Picture Book
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (Hachette Book Group)
Date published: April 10, 2018

A physical copy of this book was kindly provided by the publisher, in exchange for an honest review.

Creativity, the power of imagination, and the importance of self-expression are celebrated in this inspiring picture book written and illustrated by real-life best friends.

This girl is determined to express herself! If she can’t draw her dreams, she’ll sculpt or build, carve or collage. If she can’t do that, she’ll turn her world into a canvas. And if everything around her is taken away, she’ll sing, dance, and dream…

Stunning mixed media illustrations, lyrical text, and a breathtaking gatefold conjure powerful magic in this heartfelt affirmation of art, imagination, and the resilience of the human spirit.

– My Review –

This children’s book was so heartwarming and inspiring! And I feel that I gleaned something from reading this book, even as an adult. I cannot begin to express how great of an impression this book will, therefore, leave on a child (or even a teenager). The focus of this book is on creativity, and the importance of imagination. As we make our way from the beginning to the end, the main character explains to us that she does not need pencils, or notepads, or even light to create. One’s imagination is enough, and I think that this is a very important message for all children.

I absolutely love the dust cover, as well as the cardboard cover beneath, and really appreciate that this book has been printed in hardcover format. The colours are bright and engaging, and I also appreciated the artist’s particular style. The images and colours within the book made me smile, and I enjoyed the apparent mix of media (because some parts of a particular illustration appeared to be done with marker, while other parts looked like cutouts from real photography (you can see some sneak peeks of the interior here). And I believe that this style goes very well with the subject of creation and imagination!

– About the Creators –

Samantha Berger has written numerous picture books including Crankenstein, A Crankenstein Valentine, Witch Spa, Snoozefest, and Martha Doesn’t Say Sorry, which won a Parent’s Choice Award Honor. When she isn’t writing, she’s doing voice-overs, traveling the world, and helping rescue dogs. Samantha splits her time between New York City and California, and she invites you to visit her online at samanthaberger.com.

Mike Curato is the author and illustrator of the beloved polka-dotted elephant, Little Elliot, who appears in his books Little Elliot, Big City; Little Elliot, Big Family; Little Elliot, Big Fun; and Little Elliot, Fall Friends. He is also the illustrator of Worm Loves Wormby J.J. Austrian and All the Way to Havana by Margarita Engle. Mike lives in Northampton, Massachusetts, and he invites you to visit him online at mikecurato.com.

– Purchase Links –

THANK YOU FOR READING MY BOOK REVIEW! HAVE YOU READ THIS BOOK? WHAT DID YOU THINK? AND IF YOU HAVEN’T READ IT YET, DO YOU WANT TO, OR NOT? HOW COME? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!