When I Redraw the World

Lying on their stomach, crayon in hand, a child contemplates literally redrawing the world in this hopeful picture book. They start out by addressing the really big issues: “When I redraw the world, no one will be hungry. And everyone will have a home. That seems important.” Heavy lifting done, the artist-narrator applies their talents to reimagining life’s finer details, creating a world in which anyone can press a button to experience beloved smells and sounds, anthropomorphized zoo animals are free to live where they like (“except in bedrooms. And except for gross animals”), and dogs of every hue will be found “everywhere.” A final idea should win budding bibliophiles’ hearts: “When you turn the last page of a book you love, a new book—just as good or better—will appear.” Via a confident protagonist; crisp, whimsical line art; and a large cast of kid and animal characters, Vernick (The Family Tree) and Fox (Don’t Feed the Coos) suggest that the most radical optimism might just be found in a child’s crayon box. Figures are portrayed with various skin tones, most fanciful. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Erin Murphy, Aevitas Creative Management. Illustrator’s agent: Elena Giovinazzo, Heirloom Literary & Media. (Jan.)