While We’re Here

Sumptuously patterned artwork and reiterative lines capture a day’s contrasting rhythms in this arresting tale about an outing that doesn’t go according to plan. “Hurry, hurry,” urges an initial refrain as two figures, “jackets zipped,” rush out to catch a train and get to a city park—only to discover that they’ve missed the scheduled event. The youth’s disappointment is palpable, but as the two, who read as Black, begin to embrace a free day, initially frenzied verse lightly lengthens, its mood turning joyful and contented. “We’ll head back home,/ but while we’re here,” they repeat, pausing to savor their surroundings: peering underneath a bridge, watching pond ducklings, walking “until the trail runs out,” perching beneath a tree, and more. Vibrant quilt-like collages by Archer (Wind Watchers) intricately mix acrylic inks, tissue paper, handmade stamped papers, and more to create truly absorbing environments. Ending scenes of the child and caregiver luxuriating alongside a stream and beneath the shade of tree branches aptly convey the closing calm of carefully paced narration from Wynter (So Many Years: A Juneteenth Story). It’s a powerful view of the ease that can emerge from unstructured time. Ages 4–8. (Mar.)