Elspeth Lorraine

Time to WEEP! I know that’s not a good start to a book review, but this lush and humorous book is well worth your tears. Or maybe you’re a normal person who doesn’t cry at parents speaking and showing love easily. If that’s the case I’ll start again. Time to ENJOY. 

A little girl sees her father talking with his friends in person and on the phone each day chatting or texting. It seems he is always talking! One night as she gets ready for bed she asks “What happens if you run out of words? Will you have any left for me?” He is shooketh at this question. His eyes are popping. He knows he'd better reassure her. When he answers he would never run out of words for her, he weaves a beautiful tale of visiting the word factory to get an infinity bottle of words and all the ways he would get words for her no matter the obstacle. He makes it clear that no matter what, he won't run out of words for the little girl. Especially the three most important ones. I hesitate to spoil the ending so… I won’t. But just know you’re going to be crying/enjoying it. 

Bits and Pieces: The illustrations were made with gouache, watercolor, ink, colored pencils, and oil pastels. Also Felicita is self taught so, my kind of gal. There are Pirate Mice! Oh heck yeah! There are scientists, underwater adventures, gnomes, gnomes in funny boots, hilarious and colorful pajamas, basically the whole enchilada of picture book wonderfulness. 

Not Sure About: Dad is one hot number. Am I allowed to say that? He’s like if Tom Selleck wore cool matching pajamas. I mean, I don’t know if Tom Selleck wears cool matching pajamas or not, but I feel like. Not?

Favorite Part: The little girl has all these questions and for each one her body is all contorted and twisted like little kids get when they don’t want to go to bed. She’s draped off the bed, or her bottom is in the air or she’s doing a wonky handstand, and you can tell she’s dragging this story out.