Kaleidoscope

Product Description
An astounding new feat of storytelling from Brian Selznick, the award-winning creator of The Invention of Hugo Cabret and Wonderstruck.
A ship. A garden. A library. A key. In
Kaleidoscope, the incomparable Brian Selznick presents the story of two people bound to each other through time and space, memory and dreams. At the center of their relationship is a mystery about the nature of grief and love which will look different to each reader.
Kaleidoscope is a feat of storytelling that illuminates how even the wildest tales can help us in the hardest times.
From School Library Journal
Gr 6 Up-Author and artist Selznick delivers big in his ambitious new short story collection. While the page count may be slight in comparison to some of his best-known titles (including The Invention of Hugo Cabret, Wonder), this is by far his most complex work to date. Divided into thirds-Morning, Afternoon, Evening-this book explores the relationship of an unnamed narrator and their companion, James (both characters adhere to the white default). The stories' connections come into sharper focus as the reader moves from Morning to Evening, though a great deal is left entirely open to interpretation. Key themes include friendship, love, grief, dreams, reality, and god-heavy fare for readers both young and old. The stories cover myriad genres, but even as the characters shift and change, "I" and "James" are constants (of a sort). Each story is prefaced by two illustrations: a representational image and a kaleidoscopic abstraction. Selznick has rendered the powerful illustrations in his signature black and white, with rich tonal work and keen details; the book's cover is stunningly executed in colored pencil. VERDICT This title is unique in its appeal and would be a valuable addition to middle grade, young adult, and adult/general interest collections alike.-Taylor Worley, Springfield P.L., ORα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review
Praise for Kaleidoscope:
"Kaleidoscope, Brian Selznick's brilliant new book, is a collection of magical, weird and mysterious stories... Each tale is accompanied by art, which, as we've come to expect from Selznick, is stunning... While each tale seems like a sliver of a larger story we'll never learn, we get the impression that we're hearing the best part. There are no answers in this gorgeous book. There are just two of us -- Selznick and the reader -- lying side by side in the belly of a sphinx. Not trying to answer a riddle. Just appreciating being in the middle of one." -- Adam Gidwitz, The New York Times Book Review
Praise for Baby Monkey, Private Eye:
A New York Times Bestselling Book
An Amazon Best Book of the Year
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
Parents Magazine Best Early Reader of the Year
A BookPage Best Book of the Year
A News & Observer Best Book of the Year
"A marvel." -- The New York Times
"Inventive... fabulously expressive..." -- San Francisco Chronicle
"...exceedingly cute..." -- The Wall Street Journal
"Silly, endearing, and adventurous..." -- The Washington Post
"Another boundary-buster." -- San Diego Union Tribute
"Exquisite... [a] one-of-a-kind beginning reader..." -- Bookpage
"Genre-defying entertainment... stupendous..." -- The Buffalo News
* "Irresistible." -- Booklist, starred review
* "[An] endearingly funny graphic novel/picture book/early reader." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review
* "Selznick and Serlin take the easy reader format to new creative heights....The sharp pacing and charming humor also make it an excellent read-aloud choice....as funny as it is elegant. This will be enjoyed equally by youngsters and their grown-ups." -- School Library Journal, starred review
* "Kids will forget they are learning to read, focusing instead on the comic bits, persistence, and vulnerability of an endearing hero." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review
* "New rea