Coming and Going

In a provocative concept book, Martins explores the evolution of human mobility—from feet to flight. A chiding, reproachful tone runs throughout, calling attention to the costs of progress: “In our eagerness, we wanted to go supersonic./ In our eagerness, we hunted for super fuels./ In our eagerness, we almost blew the fuses.../ (no, not ours, but the planet’s).” Simultaneously, Martins urges readers to take notice of humbler species, such as the tern, which travels “50,000 miles,/ without bothering a soul.” Carvalho’s arresting artwork features stylized figures and overlapping geometric shapes in bold colors—his panoramas and seascapes underscore both the Earth’s beauty and the human responsibility to preserve that beauty. Ages 5–8. (Oct.)