- Title: If Found, Please Return to Elise Gravel (http://amzn.to/2s6Mf8Y)
- Author and Illustrator: Elise Gravel
- Age Range: 8 and up
- Grade Level: 3 and up
- Hardcover: 100 pages
- Publisher: Drawn and Quarterly (June 6, 2017)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1770462783
- ISBN-13: 978-1770462786
- Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 0.6 x 9.1 inches
I have been struggling for days to write this book review. Not because I don't have anything to say, but because the book keeps disappearing in my house. You see my oldest daughter has adopted the book, read it several times, and then created her own sketch book to doodle just like author/illustrator Elise Gravel.
Now, I would love to share my daughter's doodles with you; however, she literally freaked out when I asked to share her notebook. I guess she is officially entering pre-tweendom. I am lame and my blog is embarrassing. I get it. I remember that feeling. I will respect her wishes.
However, I think you will agree that her complete obsession with the book is warranted. It is full of vibrant colors, quirky creatures, and just enough bathroom humor that will have kids thinking they have discovered something their parent's might not approve of, making it that much more desirable. What I love about the book, however, is how it encourages creativity in kids. My favorite page in the book provides some sage advice for the aspiring children's book illustrator.
It is exactly what any person needs to hear to help them realize their dreams summed up on a page. "Enormous amounts of practice. That's how you improve." Yes, Elise Gravel! Every kid needs to hear those words. Even a few adults need to hear those words. Even I need to hear those words and be reminded that it is OK to fail all along the road to success, as long as you keep practicing.
If I haven't convinced you to go online and pre-order this book (which will be released on June 6th), then check out Elise Gravel's Instagram. I am in love with her creativity!
FTC Disclosure: Thank you Drawn and Quarterly for sending me a copy of If Found, Please Return to Elise Gravel. This post contains affiliate links to Amazon. If you purchase the books through these links, I receive a small portion of the payment, which I use to support this blog. Thanks for your support!