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9781623546182

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During a game of hide-and-seek, a youngster worries that he’s concealed himself too well. In this Australian import, four kids scatter while another counts to 10 before shouting the familiar childhood phrase: “Coming! Ready or not!” Archie, a tot in a bright red pullover, sneaks into a cupboard. One by one, each child is found until only Archie is left. In his hiding spot, Archie wills himself to stay calm and not make a sound. But then the others go outside to search, and Archie’s cupboard starts to feel constricting. The house is quiet, and Archie wonders if they’ve stopped searching. “I’m still here,” he whispers. “Come back. Find me.” It’s thrilling to be the last one found, but the joyful game also has its scary moments. Many kids will relate to Godwin’s exploration of Archie’s emotional arc. Morris’ muted palette gives her artwork a serene feeling, but the layouts add dramatic tension. Several pages feature smaller panels showing hiding spots, as well as a zoomed-out look at the entire house that shows others being found. The darkness is also heightened in many scenes, with slivers of light serving as the sole saving grace in the increasingly ominous-looking cupboard. The kids have light tan skin; two (including Archie) appear to be East Asian. A gently reassuring look at the big feelings elicited by a classic childhood game. —Kirkus Reviews

Author Information

Jane Godwin is a highly acclaimed author of over thirty books for children. Her work is published internationally, and she has received many awards, including the Queensland Premier's Award, the Aurealis Award, a shortlisting for the CBC Book of the Year Award, and more. She lives in Australia. Sylvia Morris grew up in Adelaide in Australia and studied math in college. She started drawing when she was a twenty-two-year-old graduate student in Perth after she found it to be a useful meditative exercise. She loves how illustrating combines analyzing and creative problem-solving plus a love of reading. She was shortlisted for the Children's Book Council of Australia's 2023 award for new illustrator for this book. www.sylviamorris.com.au

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