In Just So, Ruth Forman and Raissa Figueroa have matched their formidable talents to brings us a book that with spare, simple words expresses the fullness of love. What could be greater?
Ruth Forman is an acclaimed poet and author currently teaching at the Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College. Her long list of awards includes the Barnard New Women Poets Prize, The PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Literary Award, the National Council of Teachers of English Notable Book Award, and recognition by The American Library Association.
The books' illustrator, Raissa Figueroa, is a graphic designer and a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Honoree who's always looking for new ways to express her art. She says that illustrating nourishes her soul, which may be why her pictures are so thoroughly heartwarming. Accompanying the gentle poetry of "I hug you like so / you hug me like so," we see a young girl on tiptoes hugging her grandma as they cook together, the turquoise teapot steaming on the stove top, then a close-up of the hug itself and the girl's smile of blissful contentment.
"We got love," the book proclaims. After showing the family's love, we contemplate love in nature: "The moon got love like so / the waves got love like so." In 28 pages, we travel through many times of day, a myriad of colors, and the four seasons with palpable joy and awe.
Created for children ages one through four, this book appeals to what is dearest and truest in life and can be enjoyed by anyone at any time, to lighten the heart and restore hope.
