Story Rug by Sophie Blackall and Phoebe Wahl is a delightful new picture book that feels destined for a place in a well-loved home library. Both are accomplished storytellers and artists in their own right, and this collaboration beautifully highlights their individual talents.
From the publisher's description:
"The children of Class 203 are learning to braid. They started with hair and shoelaces, and now the children have brought rags from home. Their braid gets longer and longer until one idea transforms it into an extraordinary surprise for their teacher."
The first time I read through the book, I found myself completely absorbed. I loved the central story of a classroom overtaken by the joy of making something together, but I was equally drawn to all the smaller stories unfolding within Phoebe Wahl's illustrations.
Every child in Class 203 feels distinct, and the pictures are packed with small, lively details. The diversity of the class gives many young readers the chance to find themselves on the page. That's especially moving to me, since I didn't grow up with many picture books that reflected my mixed Chinese heritage. I always feel a pull toward books like this, where children can open the pages and see that they belong in the story.
What struck me is how much depth the story finds in something so simple. A classroom braiding project could easily stay small, but Sophie Blackall gives it real emotional shape. She clearly understands how children think and play, and how an ordinary activity can take on a life of its own.
The authors have created a perfect bedtime story, gentle enough for the end of the day but rich enough to invite another reading. It's the kind of book children will want to read and reread, noticing something new each time.
I can imagine this being a book children remember when they are older. Years from now, the sight of a braided rug or a basket of fabric scraps might carry them back to sitting close beside someone they love, hearing Story Rug read aloud and studying its colorful pictures. It becomes woven into childhood itself.
Story Rug is now available at Brimful.
