In childlike scenes rendered in thick pencil strokes and soft colors, Crowther zeros in on Jeremy's universally recognizable fears while also highlighting the warmth and gentleness of his parents' patience and love. The Belgian illustrator keeps her narrative simple and straightforward, pairing each pages' lines with striking artwork. The search for its source produces an affectionate resolution, and Crowther's expressive artwork will leave readers eager for more.' - STARRED REVIEW, Publishers Weekly 'Originally published in France, this English translation aptly captures the gentle tone of Crowther's heartwarming story. It's a delicious moment-the parent awakened by the same noise that scared the child.

The seagulls in the village have a mean, quarrelsome look about them, while Jack's and Jim's open expressions reflect their unbiased hearts.'Crowther imbues a familiar scenario with elegance and surprise, especially in her gray, lime green and red pencil drawings: The floor of the frogs' house is covered in water, and Jeremy's worst imaginings look respectably scary.' - The New York Times Book Review 'There's no shortage of books about bedtime fears, but Lindgren Award-winner Crowther (Jack and Jim) brings a distinctive, quirky tenderness to this one. Kitty Crowther's ink and watercolor pictures are quirky and appealing, with the seagulls dressed in jaunty stripes and Jack the blackbird in a handsome red shirt. No question, the book's shining glory is in its illustrations. Though the story has an innocent sweetness to it and the plot line is pleasantly meandering, the denouement seems forced as lessons about the importance of tolerance and the value of literacy are blurred. Jack's ability to read funny stories from an old washed-up box of books wins the friendship of the crusty gulls, and interspecies harmony abounds at last. Until, that is, they learn that he has a skill none of them do. In spite of Jim's efforts to defend his friend, the villagers can't seem to get beyond Jack's differences. 'Who's that funny bird,' old Captain Seagull asks. Unfortunately, the other (white) gulls aren't so hospitable. There he encounters a dashing seagull named Jim, who welcomes Jack into his life and shows him the wonders of his seaside village. Longing for adventure, Jack the blackbird decides one day to venture out from his forest home to seek the excitement of the sea.

Jack & Jim by Kitty Crowther