Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, dear friends. When I found out that Baptiste Paul and Jacqueline Alcántara had teamed up for another book after their fabulous debut together, THE FIELD, I knew I’d want to feature it here. NorthSouth, their wonderful publisher, sent me a copy and it’s absolutely beautiful. And guess what? There’s a copy in store for one lucky winner of the giveaway – make sure you leave a comment below and when you share on social media, please tag a friend who might love to read this book.

Written by Baptiste Paul

Illustrated by Jacqueline Alcantara

Published by NorthSouth Books

Ages:4-8

Themes: Family, hiking, diversity

Synopsis from the Amazon sales page:
Take a hike with this father-daughter adventure that’s sure to inspire you to get outside. 

 When a young child reminds her dad about the hike they planned, her father is hesitant —To the tippy top? It’s a great day to watch futbol (soccer). But as the two climb on, her enthusiasm is contagious. Filled with setbacks, surprises, and stunning views, this warm and humorous story highlights in vivid colors the bonding power of a shared experience. A list of creatures at the end prompts a second look for keen-eyed readers to make discoveries of their own.

Baptiste Paul and Jacqueline Alcántara (co-creators of The Field) have teamed up again! Baptiste’s humorous and tender text, with a sprinkling of Creole words straight from the Pitons, and Jacqueline Alcántara’s vibrant and evocative illustrations capture the wonder and emotions experienced on the trail and the special relationship between a parent and a child. 

It’s always fun to find out the connections authors have to the stories they write. I asked Baptiste and this is what he said:

BAPTISTE: I enjoy being out in nature. I also love challenges. But, what I don’t enjoy is slipping and falling on my butt while hiking. When my daughter wanted to hike to the summit of Gros Piton, I was excited at first because it was sunny. Then, everything changed, it rained. I knew the hike was going to be challenging. In my head, I thought I was my teenage self. I was wrong! However, disappointing my daughter was not even an option. We made it to the summit with a few scrapes and mosquito bites but the view from the top was well worth it.

ME: I can totally relate, Baptiste. My husband and I hiked quite a bit when we lived in Colorado. One of the rules of hiking is that you don’t hike on a mountain during a thunder and lightning storm. However, my husband was not an early riser – and we rarely got to Pikes Peak before noon. I guess I’m what you’d call a ‘fair-weather’ hiker – but there were plenty of times we got caught by torrential rain and skies alive with flashes of lightning – with no place to shelter. And one amazing thing about hiking in Colorado, other than the breathtaking views, is that there are no mosquitoes – hurray!

Baptiste Paul is a Caribbean-born children’s book author. He is a native Creole/Patois speaker who enjoys sharing stories of his experiences with anyone who will listen. His debut picture book, The Field, was inspired by his childhood in St Lucia and received starred reviews from Kirkus, The Horn Book, and Booklist. Baptiste’s stories are fueled by his passion for diversity, inclusion, and uninhibited jwe (play).

Jacqueline Alcántara is a children’s picture book illustrator. Her debut picture book, The Field, written by Baptiste Paul, received 3 starred reviews and won the Sonia Lynn Sadler Award, was a Junior Library Guild selection, and also appeared on the Horn Book Fanfare Best of 2018, the School Library Journal Best of 2018, and the CCBC 2018 Choices lists. Jacqueline’s favorite days are spent drawing, painting, writing, and walking her dog. She lives in Detroit, and her other titles include Freedom Soup, Jump at the Sun, and Your Mama.

RELATED ACTIVITIES:

Make a nature dream catcher

Spring will be here before we know it in New England. How about a nature hike with the kids? Collect sticks, leaves, flowers, feathers and construct a dream catcher that your child can hang in the window.

Please don’t forget to leave a comment to be entered in the giveaway of a copy of CLIMB ON! And remember to share on your social media (that’s how we get the word out about awesome books) and tag a friend who should know about this book. And here’s the link to purchase the book and here’s the link to leave an Amazon review.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I and my amazing judges are reading all of the #50PreciousWords stories…there is a whole lot of talent in this kidlit community! Please stop by tomorrow when award-winning author Alice Faye Duncan pops in for a Will Write for Cookies Q&A.