Written by Deborah Underwood, illustrated by Cindy Derby
Named a 2021 Caldecott Honor book, if it was not for my local library featuring it as a new book, this gem would have passed me by! Aside from the emerald hue that seems to adorn every spread, Outside In carries a message as old as rocks.
We were once part of nature, and slowly, because of modern technology, of trying to keep our modern civilization running, we have forgotten our connection to the outside. However, nature often entices us with its beauty, its “magic tricks” that are nothing short of miraculous, and sometimes its wrath (though that is not mentioned in the book, haha). I thought interesting the idea of “now sometimes even when we’re outside, we’re inside.” These lines show spreads of the girl riding in the car through the woods, focused on the toy in her arms. Don’t we kid ourselves that we are connected to the outside by designing architecture with big windows (as featured in the book), indoor fountains, fake plants? These designs are of course beautiful, but they do not replace the endorphins released by a walk in the woods, crunching through snow, digging our feet in the sand.
Through muted brushstrokes and soft watercolor lines, Derby reflects the calm and nurture in Underwood’s words. Through her vibrant colors, she reinforces the vitality and robustness of nature: the trickle in the sink is actually RIVERS “rushing… to return to the sea.”
This pair did a phenomenal job relaying the message that we are slowly connecting to nature a little more. The #outdoorsall4 and #OptOutside movements have been winning traction with athletes as well as parents alike. I know I have mentioned Tinkergarten, but there are other local organizations that you can join to make you more conscious about spending time outdoors, Hike it Baby, for example. Otherwise, you can always track your outdoor time using the free 1,000 hours Outside tracker. Being outside doesn’t always mean going on an elaborate hike. It could be as easy as doing homework or building a puzzle outside. Ending the day sitting on the front or back porch or whatever outdoor sitting area you have an your disposal.
Let’s definitely normalize spending time outdoors as a valid form of entertainment for children and adults. Allergies aside, nature contributes to everyone’s mental health. Also, the more time we spend outside, the more conscious we become of how nature is being treated and the bigger effort we and younger generations will make to preserve it.
Outside In is definitely a book worth buying and gifting. The text is easy to translate and its message will definitely resonate with many cultures and backgrounds. We can all get better about spending time outdoors!
Deborah Underwood has a repertoire of books to her name. Cindy Derby has many as well, but her website is golden for her art process. She has an extended video on a specific technique she used in Outside In: painting trees with string!
Biblioterika 