ALL’S RIGHT WITH THE WORLD

A slice-of-life tale, from dawn to dusk.

Drawing inspiration from Robert Browning’s “Pippa’s Song” (the poem is included toward the end of the book), Adams follows a pair of brown-skinned children—neighbors on the same city block—as they greet the day, head to school, walk home, have dinner together, and prepare for bed. Both the soothingly written verse and the vibrant mixed-media illustrations, done in Silas Neal’s signature style, bring this bustling, beautiful neighborhood to life and demonstrate that even in an urban setting, there are ways to appreciate nature—the kids gaze at a snail on one spread; another page depicts a child’s drawing of flowers on a fridge. The work also quietly reminds readers of the joys of everyday routines. Cats and birds are a recurring thread throughout—perched or soaring above the unnamed protagonists or lounging in the background. Those seeking additional tributes to city life should pair this one with Matt de la Peña’s Milo Imagines the World (2021), illustrated by Christian Robinson, and Jacqueline Woodson’s The World Belonged to Us (2022), illustrated by Leo Espinosa. (This book was reviewed digitally.)

A charmer that captures the exuberance of finding happiness in the little things.