Books
★ Coming May 6, 2025 ★
"This story emphasizes that humans are inextricably linked to the larger universe; it’s also a joyful ode to the parent-child bond. Văn’s lyrical verse will gently but powerfully uplift young readers. Quang’s and Liên’s illustrations are full of energy and movement... Affirming and full of love." —Kirkus Reviews
Pre-order now from your local bookstore or online at Scholastic ★ Mrs Dalloway's ★ Books of Wonder (signed) ★ Bookshop ★ Barnes & Noble ★ Books-A-Million ★ Amazon
★ Toronto Public Library’s 2023 First and Best List ★
"Flutters gracefully through the circle of life in reverse, offering readers an enchanting journey from wings to egg with vibrant illustrations and a poetic twist. Perfect for sparking young imaginations about nature’s wonders!" ―Goodreads
"Destined to become a classic." —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
"Shapes become the vocabulary used to suggest a child’s experience of the world in this evocative picture book." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Children and their caregivers reading this book will delight in the possibility and wonder that emerge from the page in each moment, especially as they search for secrets and fill in the voids intentionally designed to inspire deeper reflection." —School Library Journal
"An inclusive, affirming, warmhearted book with lots to love." —Kirkus Reviews
"Beautifully written and illustrated, this title presents and grows the concept of love in so many ways that it cannot fail to inspire children to assess the ways they share love and are affected by it." ―School Library Journal (starred review)
★ Named #1 Best Picture Book of the Year by BookPage ★
★ The Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis (German Children’s Literature Award) 2024 Picture Book Winner ★
★ 2022 Margaret Wise Brown Prize Winner ★
★ 2022 California Book Awards Winner, Juvenile Category ★
★ 2022 ILA Notable Books for a Global Society Award Winner ★
★ 2022 I'm Your Neighbor Book Awards, New Arrival Book Winner ★
★ 2021 Golden Poppy Award Co-Winner, Children's Picture Books ★
★ Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection ★
★ Featured on ABC News Live Prime ★★ NPR Best Book of the Year Pick ★
★ Horn Book 2021 Fanfare ★
★ 2021 New York Public Library’s Best Books for Kids List ★
★ Evanston Public Library's 2021 101 Great Books for Kids List ★
★ Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Books of 2021 About Crossing Borders ★
★ Red Tricycle’s “Best Children’s Books of 2021, so far” ★
★ Indies Children’s Illustrated “Another Indie Pick” ★
★ Children's Book Council Hot Off the Press ★
★ ABA Kids Indie Next List ★
★ Booklist Starred Review ★
★ The Horn Book Starred Review ★
★ Publishers Weekly Starred Review ★
★ Kirkus Reviews Starred Review ★
★ BookPage Starred Review ★
★ Shelf Awareness Starred Review ★
"The collaboration between text and illustration is impressive; Văn’s lyrical and poetic writing gently propels the story forward, while Ngai’s honest and detailed pictures depict the heartbreaking reality of separation and extend the tale beyond its words." ―The Horn Book (starred review)
"This is absolutely stunning - it has everything I look for in a picture book. It has the feel of a future classic like Goodnight Moon. I could read it over and over." ―Goodreads
★ Kirkus Reviews Starred Review ★
★ The Globe and Mail "October’s best bets for children’s books" ★
"One unique picture book with much to say equals quite a lot." ―Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
★ 2020 Golden Kite Award Winner, Picture Book Illustration ★
★ Greater Good Magazine, "Eight of Our Favorite Asian American Picture Books" ★
"Explores the nearly universal experience of sibling conflict and humorously entertains children’s capacity to problem-solve with magical thinking." —Greater Good Magazine
★ 2020 Irma Black Award Honor Book ★
★ Bank Street College of Education’s Best Children’s Books of the Year 2020 – Under 5 ★
"Funny, adorable, and gross in just the right fashion for kids." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
★ Kirkus Reviews Starred Review ★
★ Publishers Weekly Starred Review ★
★ Children's Book Council Hot Off The Press ★
★ Los Angeles Times Holiday Books List ★
★ National Geographic Learning Program Selection ★
"The idea that letting someone go can sometimes be the best way to love them isn’t an easy one to share with children (or parents, for that matter), but Van and Adinolfi do so with grace and aplomb." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
★ Northern California Book Awards Children’s Literature, Younger Readers Winner ★
★ Huffington Post Best Picture Books Best Surprise Winner ★
★ New York Public Library’s 100 Notable Titles for Reading and Sharing ★
★ New York Public Library Best Books for Kids ★
★ Junior Library Guild Selection ★
★ Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Books ★
★ Pennsylvania Center for the Book Best Children's Books ★
★ Kirkus Reviews Starred Review ★
★ Publishers Weekly Starred Review ★
"As minimal as the text might initially appear, Muon Van’s debut picture book is as deep as the Sea she references in her title . . . Van and Chu’s paper and ink manifestation of family and history is magnificent to behold. Read it, love it, share it." —Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
"April Chu’s serene, intensely detailed artwork offers a lovely and fully realized scene, and invites us into an equally well-calibrated story by the Vietnamese-born Muon Van. Together, they’ve made a picture book that’s somehow both modest and captivating." —The New York Times
More about In a Village by the Sea
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