Published by Candlewick

Summary:  “After a cold, hard winter, doors opened.”  Kids spill out of a high-rise apartment building, ready for some fresh air.  Amanda’s the last one out, lugging a box of sidewalk chalk.  She draws what looks like a huge virus with green chalk.  Jackson turns it into a dandelion, while Janet makes a mushroom, and the twins add flowers.  Other kids draw their own creations until the entire courtyard is a riot of color.  Nasrin takes a picture from her balcony and sends it to her mother in Isfahan, and her mom shares it with everyone she knows, sending the concrete garden around the world.  A few days later, rain washes it away.  The chalk is gone, but the kids use the box it was in to make cardboard boats which they sail in the rainbow-colored water.  32 pages; ages 4-8.

Pros:  The masks some of the characters are wearing and the dedication page that reads “Written in the time of Covid” mark this as a post-pandemic story, the kids celebrating their freedom with an explosion of creativity.  Setbacks (like a dog peeing on some of the chalk) and creative differences are gracefully handled by the children, and the story and pictures exude a feeling of joy and celebration.

Cons:  The ending felt a little disappointing; I was hoping the kids would do something a bit more creative for their second act.