miles to go
Written and illustrated by Jamie Harper Published by Candlewick Press
Hop in! Neon-bright illustrations depict a delightfully single-minded little driver sure to have readers clamoring to come along for the ride.
"Another day, another drive . . ." So declares Miles, preschooler and car enthusiast. He puts on his seatbelt. Check. He cranks the key. Check. Uh-oh, the horn is broken, but no time to fix it, because—"gotta go!"—Miles is off to school, zigging and zagging past sister’s trike and brother’s truck. The trip is adventurous indeed, with the neighborhood dog to greet, puddles to navigate, even roads to cross (with Mom close at hand, of course). Jamie Harper’s adorable, energetic illustrations and wonderfully childlike sensibility will appeal to every busy little kid who loves things that go.
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PRAISE
★ “This book proves that good things come in small packages… The rosy-cheeked Miles marvelously embodies the exuberance, imagination and passions of a preschool boy. The block-print, watercolor, ink and cut-paper illustrations create a feast of colors and textures without being overbusy. The endpapers feature a simple map of Miles's route to school.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Representing preschoolers’ everyday, imaginative play with the seriousness it deserves, this tells a simple story in a satisfying way. The distinctive artwork, a collage of mixed media elements including block prints, watercolor, ink, and cut paper, creates a fresh, cheerful look.... A neat little package.”
— Booklist
“Harper's (the Baby Bundt books) collages are high performance all the way: a zippy mélange of rubber stamps and other media, they have a cool, three-dimensional feel, conveying the pluck of a wide-eyed but hardcore enthusiast while giving the action scenes an authentic dynamism…The text is surprisingly straightforward considering the subject matter, though Harper adds a little drama by saddling Miles with a broken horn and includes subtle nods to the habits of adult drivers ("Red light. C'mon, green," Miles complains, his eyes on the light) that kids and parents will be quick to recognize.”
— Publishers Weekly