The Weaver by Thacher Hurd, illustrated by Elisa Kleven

At sunrise, the weaver watches the whole world from above, her hands already at work.  Her thread is formed from “trails of shooting stars, white clouds, and spiderwebs hung with dew.”  She dyes the thread with morning colors from the world and then she begins to weave with her loom.  She captures in her weaving, images from the day: kisses, laughter and love.  As evening falls, her work is done and she dances across the earth spreading her tapestry over the world where it enters our dreams.

This mystical, beautiful picture book is filled with colorful and joyful imagery.  Hurd writes with a confidence and gentleness that suit this book well.  His writing is in poem form but without rhymes.  Rather it is the gentle rhythm of the loom that is part of his text and weaves it seamlessly together. 

Kleven’s artistic style pairs beautifully with this subject matter.  Her softness and details play out beautifully in the vistas that we see.  The tapestry itself is gloriously depicted, filled with colors and floating effortlessly in the air.  It is weightless, semi-transparent, yet all important.

A perfect bedtime book, this is one to curl up with together and simply enjoy.  I guarantee sweet dreams when tucked in with this blanket.  Appropriate for ages 3-7.

Reviewed from copy received from Farrar Straus Giroux.