cover image What the Road Said

What the Road Said

Cleo Wade, illus. by Lucie de Moyencourt. Macmillan/Feiwel and Friends, $18.99 (40p) ISBN 978-1-250-26949-2

The road is not only a metaphor for life’s journey in this meditative picture book but also a supportive and wise friend accompanying readers on their individual paths. A young narrator wonders if there is “something more... something just.../ different” before happening upon a new road and asking where it leads. The road responds, “Be a leader and find out.” Thus begins a conversation between the two that results in encouraging, confident answers to questions such as, “What if I get lost?” “What if I get lonely?” and “What if the world around us is filled with hate?” Alongside de Moyencourt’s vividly colored, bucolic scenes of the natural world, accessible language and a heartfelt tone make this a meta guide for a broad range of readers finding their way to their future. Ages 6–10. (Mar.)