Take a fantastical journey through an inspiring world where anything can happen: leaves turn into fish, cats fly with wings, humans have tails, frogs eat rainbows, and dreams become visible.
First published in 1995, Sarah Perry’s delightful picture book of “surreal possibilities” was the Getty’s first children’s title. Twenty-five years later it remains a visual feast that children of all ages enjoy.
Reissued to celebrate a remarkable book’s 25th anniversary, this enhanced edition includes new illustrations and a reader’s guide to the secrets of If… and is sure to appeal to a brand-new generation.
Recommended for ages three and up.
Praise for the first edition of If…:
“Imagination is the name of the game, and Perry plays with it with distinction. Eye-catching, mind-bending illustrations.”—Booklist
“Strange but fun.”—New York Times Book Review
“The artwork is arresting.” —Publishers Weekly
“Magical watercolors.”—Salt Lake Tribune
“An extraordinary book that launches the imagination of all those who pass through the pages.”—The Bloomsbury Review
“Sparkling watercolor illustrations and verbal flights of fancy.”—Los Angeles Times
“This is interactive art at its most fulfilling.”—Los Angeles View
“If you are looking for a little inspiration, a different way of seeing the world, or a chance to let your imagination run wild, this beautifully produced book should do the trick.”—Rumpus Review
“If is designed to stimulate creativity through 20 magical watercolors.”—The Disney Channel Magazine
If . . . is a reformat and re-release of a gorgeous picture book from 1995 by Sarah Perry. Due out 3rd March 2020 from Getty, it's 48 full color pages and will be available in hardcover format.
This is a very short book, but overwhelmingly lush and beautiful. The pictures are surreal and realistically rendered. The artwork is precise and engaging, it draws the eye and invites a lingering contemplation. I have revisited the book a couple times since my original read-through, and I've found myself thinking about one picture or another many times in the intervening hours.
Each of the 23 paintings (not counting endpieces) has a one sentence introduction "if" ants could count, hummingbirds told secrets, dreams were visible, with the artwork illustrating the posit on the facing page. The illustrations are surreal and dreamlike with lots of semi-hidden subtleties and sly details.
This is an all-ages book. Adults will appreciate the beauty and creativity while children will likely appreciate identifying the features of each of the illustrations and everyone can enjoy hunting the hidden 'easter eggs' in each painting.
This 25th anniversary edition also includes a reader's guide with some background info on some of the pictures as well as 2 new paintings and some new spot illustrations.
Gorgeous book, haunting in a good way.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
