“Gem,” by Holly Hobbie, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, April 3, 2012, Hardback, $16.99 (ages 3 and up)
Dear Hope,
This past winter was the longest, fiercest winter I remember. We were buried in drifts of snow, and that old north wind wouldn’t quit. So I began to think about spring — and especially that day you discovered a small wonder in the garden. You called him Gem. He seemed like a little miracle — it has been so long since we’d had such a visitor here. I wanted to tell the story of Gems spring journey — all the way to my garden. This book, which took me all winter to make and which warmed the coldest days, is for you.
Love, Gram
“Gem,” the story of a little toad’s adventures is told almost exclusively with illustrations. The above letter at the very beginning and a return missive from Hope at the very end make up the only text in this charming picture book.
As always, Holly Hobbie’s watercolors are beautiful. A mix of full spreads and simpler single-page illustrations explore Gem’s journey from a home lily pond to a muddy road and a truck to hopping away from a predator and being caught by a curious little girl. The beauty of “Gem” is that words aren’t needed. Holly’s expressive artwork speaks for itself.
