The Only Child Hardcover – Picture Book, December 1, 2015

I really and truly loved this book and I'm sad as can be that it isn't eligible to win the Caldecott (author/illustrator is from China). And I'm not sure what to call it either, picture book or graphic novel. The book is wordless which suggests a picture book, but it's over a hundred pages which suggests graphic novel. In either case, the author tells a surprisingly sweet story entirely through the pictures. As she explains in an author's note at the front of the book, the story is based on her own childhood growing up as an only child whose parents both worked. The little girl in this story is left home alone to entertain herself while her parents work. Eventually though she gets bored and decides to leave to go see her grandmother. Unfortunately, she fall asleep on the bus and misses her stop. In a panic she gets off the bus and finds herself alone in a forest, but not for long. Most of the second half of the book focuses on the child's adventures with the stag that she finds in the forest. And this is where the book becomes fantasy. I think my favorite parts of the book were the different perspectives on the girl as she plays at home, makes her way through the streets, the bus, and then the fantasy world. Guojing has created an absolutely beautiful book well worth perusing over and over again.

I've never come across such a wonderfully told story without the use of words. The artwork is absolutely amazing. A visual experience you don't want to miss default age.

A beautiful story retelling of an authors experience with a wonderful ending. Had to read this for my class. Touched me so much.

Beautiful and ethereal. When I bought this, I assumed it was standard picture book length (32 pages), but it is actually 112 pages (big bonus). To put it simply, I was blown away by this wordless adventure. Each picture, each sequence is packed with such depth and beauty. Guojing's illustrations are wonderful, and she provides a nice respite from the typical, in your face bright colors most picture books use to captivate a young audience. It almost reminds me of a Hayao Miyazaki story in terms of its wonder and magic. I highly recommend this one.

AS the grandmother of an only child who reads to herself at bedtime at the age of 4, I thought a "pictures-only" book would be ideal for her. It turned out to be more than I even hoped for! The storyline is easy to follow , for the grandchild as well as this adult, with absolutey gorgeous illustrations that evoke the loneliness - and resilience - of being an only child. Moral of the story - we are none of us really alone... Highly recommend.

beautifully done - tells a story with no words - bought this for my daughter (an only child) who is now an adult. Expresses a world of emotions in lovely realistic drawings, take time to look at each drawing, they each say so much, you may need a tissue handy as I did. Don't consider this as just another children's book - I think adults will also see/feel so much, maybe more from this enchanting graphic story.

This book is magical. Both my two and four year olds love this book. It is wonderful to sit with them and talk about what is happening in the story and how the small child is feeling. Joy, fear, sadness, and wonder are only a few of the themes in this amazing book. Highly recommended for any age!

Es mi libro favorito, es hermoso y bastante profundo para la mente

Absolutely beautiful story about a little lost child. Will help children to engage, empathise and narrate. Wordless (so not a reading exercise) but fabulous for storytelling and a lovely item to have in a book collection. Have bought a second copy for our school library.

Ich kaufe es immer wieder als Geschenk für die Kinder und es kommt immer gut an. Ich liebe dieses Buch!

Thank you!

Amazing book. Truly beautiful!

A book like none other. It is a book of dreams, as you glance through one picture to the other it seems you are floating on the author's imagination. The illustrations are by far the most heart warming I have ever come across. There are no words in the book however the kids take on to it very effortlessly. It's magical to see them transcend into the author's vision.