cover image Full of Empty

Full of Empty

Tim J. Myers and M.P. Myers, illus. by Rebecca Sorge. Familius, $16.95 (32p) ISBN 978-1-942934-35-6

The husband-and-wife Myers team transports readers to a kingdom whose onion-dome towers, ornately patterned arches and walls, and bustling markets evoke an Arabian Nights–type setting. There, the seemingly oxymoronic idea of being “full of empty” represents the sadness affecting young Princess Claire. The king and queen pull out all the stops to try to help their daughter feel better, and Sorge makes the kingdom feel like a vibrant cultural crossroads, as fan dancers, Chinese dragons, storytellers, and musicians are paraded in, in an attempt to entertain Princess Claire, all to no avail. A quiet game of jacks with her parents, however, brings Claire’s smile “flying back like a bird.” Lush illustrations, a culturally diverse setting, a devoted set of parents, and the suggestion that time and togetherness can help heal emotional wounds give the story a strong impact. Ages 4–8. (Mar.)