On All Fours

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

A bear cub sets out to discover the worldwith a little encouragement from a nearby parentin this charming picture book from the author-illustrator of New York Times Best Illustrated book Bear Despair

The best way to explore the world is on all fours! With its four little paws, a curious bear cub dances across pebbles, feels the tickling grass, splishes and splashes in puddles. So delightful are the curious cubs encounters that even prickly weeds or a little tumble are just part of the fun!

From sensory experience to sensory experience, the bear cub goes on a journey of discovery and surprise that leads it far away from where it started. Perhaps even too far away Help!! But the moment of panic is soon resolved when the cub is lifted up by two loving arms, into a big hug from a parent.

From acclaimed author-illustrator Gatan Dormus, a charming, brightly colored picture book about exploration, play, budding independence, and security.

Reviews

STARRED REVIEW! "A toddler bear takes a tactile journey in this translation of a French title The compositions provide a rich aesthetic experience with gorgeous multihued backgrounds that change to reflect the mood and the little ones body language. The scenes brim with delightful details, such as a crimson spider that reacts to each situation Dormus luscious, emotive illustrations will inspire frequent readings. The spare, repetitive narration lends itself well to memorization; be prepared for little ones to shout out their favorite lines. Youngsters will relish the ride from exploration to reunion." * Kirkus Reviews *
Throughout a lively picture book, Dormus captures simple miracles of moving the body and exploring the world. Observational text'On all fours, here I am on Earth'accompanies saturated spreads of an ambling blue bear cub... Texturally rich spreads attend to splashing water, sloppy mud, and slippery slides as the cub meets the small mishaps that befall new navigators. Masses of color, fine lines, and comforting words capture an era of young life when commonplace experiences are new. * Publishers Weekly *

Author Bio

Born in 1971, Gatan Dormus received his degree from the School of Decorative Arts in Strasbourg, France. Once out in the world, he picked up a few other degrees while creating picture books and illustrations for the press. Dormus has illustrated more than 25 books and has produced hundreds of editorial illustrations and cartoons. He loves bicycle riding, walking in the mountains, eating green tomatoes with cinnamon, and being a papa. Dormuss Bear Despair was a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of 2012. Growing up in a FrenchChinese American family, Emilie Robert Wong attended school in the French national education system before studying comparative literature and neuroscience at Harvard College. She is an associate editor at Enchanted Lion, as well as the co-translator, with Karin Snelson, of You Cant Kill Snow White (shortlisted for the Global Literature in Libraries Initiatives Translated YA Book Prize) and At the Drop of a Cat (a Kirkus Best Book of 2023 and a NYPL Best Childrens Book of 2023).