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PRESCHOOL
Alemagna, Beatrice

Things That Go Away

64 pp. | Abrams | March, 2020 | Trade ISBN 978-1-4197-4482-2 $18.99
(2) PS The notion that "everything passes, moves on, or changes" is the subject of this playful, introspective French import. The bird that perches on your finger; small wounds; music; bubbles; baby teeth; dust; and even lice--they all pass by, fly away, or disappear. Alemagna also addresses deeper, more abstract subject matter, such as the notion that "dark thoughts," sadness, and fear may appear but will make their exits. Each double-page spread is bisected by translucent paper vellum, upon which Alemagna makes simple markings in a bold line, shifting meaning and mood depending on which side of the spread is covered. A monster, constructed out of a series of black dots, looms over a child lying fearfully in bed, whom we see through the vellum. Turn that vellum page, and the monster has moved to the verso, away from the (now peacefully sleeping) child. In one funny spread, a woman's head of hair moves over to become the mustache of her friend to the left. The richly colored oil illustrations engage readers with their occasionally off-kilter perspective and scale. The closing theme of unconditional love is implied in the text--but shown in the illustrations in the form of a warm, tender hug between adult and child. That bond is here to stay.
Reviewer: Julie Danielson | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2020

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