I fell in love with this book the moment I opened it, thanks to its luminous illustrations. I shouldn’t be surprised that Lane Smith was behind them, the artist known for kids’ classics like The Stinky Cheese Man, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs and so many others. But it’s not just the gorgeous art that makes the brand new There is a Tribe of Kids so moving.
Lane Smith’s latest is a story about the search for belonging, a theme so universal and so beautifully portrayed in this story, I pretty much think everyone should read it.
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Brought to life with mesmerizing illustrations and clever wordplay, the book starts with a young boy huddled among a herd of mountain goats. One by one, they begin to traipse upward. Soon, he is left alone, staring up at a mountain he can’t possibly climb with his not-so-nimble feet.
Next, he joins a colony of penguins, a smack of jellyfish, a parade of elephants, a troop of monkeys — each time finding himself left out, not quite knowing where he belongs.
Fortunately, this book culminates with the boy finding (you guessed it) a tribe of kids. And after all that searching and longing that both kids and adults can surely identify with, it’s such a joyful conclusion. I absolutely love the message that even though it may take time to find where we fit best, somewhere, everyone has a home.
Even if you’re not familiar with Lane’s work (and if that’s true, make your next stop your local bookshop or library!), you won’t be immune to the charms of this story. I left it on my coffee table for a day or two, and every single visitor stopped to pick it up.
There is a Tribe of Kids is a book you want to smell, stroke, and paper your bedroom walls with.
There is a Tribe of Kids by Lane Smith goes on sale today (yeah!) from our affiliate Amazon, or find it in your local indie bookshop. Also check out a whole library of books you’ll want to know about at Lane Smith’s website
