Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. ( )

This is a beautifully illustrated children's picture book that is about a little girl and how she is a part of the world around her. It is peaceful and relaxing to read and would make a great bedtime story for your toddler or preschooler. I love the simple message, that we too are a part of our bigger world.

Thank you to NetGalley and Candlewick Press for this advanced copy, my opinions are my own. ( )

With minimal words, The Whole Wide World and Me attempts to portray an idea which may be too large for young grasp. The running metaphors ground us back to our connection to nature and the world in a growing apart from it. Beautiful illustrations reminiscent of eric Carl reflect the beauty and simplicity in which this connection could be seen. While the concept may be out of the grasp, some children will enjoy the empowerment they feel in reading many of the common sight words on their own.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

The Whole Wide World and Me was a quick read with interesting pictures, but I don't think it really said anything. The young girl compares herself to a flower, a cloud, a rock rolling down the hill -- all things that occur with very few people noticing. Based on the synopsis, it was a book about being a small part of a larger world, although I wish the focus of the story had been a little more obvious. I don't think it's something children will easily understand, and isn't that the point of a children's book?

This review can also be found at Do You Dog-ear? on February 4, 2019. ( )

I feel like it's getting harder and harder to find picture books that are truly aimed at toddlers, not preschoolers or grade school children. Something simple that really little kids can enjoy and appreciate in storytime. One of the authors I depend on is Toni Yuly and her new book does not disappoint.

Simple illustrations in collage, charcoal, and digital collage show the big and small, all part of the world. The spreads show a dandelion, fish, and cloud first large and then on the following page small in relation to the unnamed girl. The second half of the book shows the the girl creating actions - rolling like a pebble down the mountain, splashing like a wave, and floating like a leaf. On the final spreads, the girl celebrates that she is a small and a big part of the whole world she sees around her.

Yuly's illustrations are bright and colorful, simple with just a few tiny details, like a ladybug, to find. Vibrant greens, soothing blues, and spiky yellow dandelions are spread through the book, with simple actions performed by a girl with straight black hair, pale skin, and a purple skirt, shirt, and green boots.

This would be a great storytime choice for toddlers, the simple language and bright collage illustrations catching and holding their interest. They can search for the little ladybug that appears throughout the story and identify simple parts of nature. Toddlers will also be great at trying out the different actions, floating, rolling, wiggling like a fish, and more. For older kids, pair this with other concept books like Anna Kang's You are (not) small and Henry Cole's Big Bug for a storytime on size and perspective.

Verdict: The clean lines and joyful, minimal language will make this a storytime staple for many ages. Recommended.

ISBN: 9780763692636; Published February 2019 by Candlewick; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library