The Red Tin Box, illustrated by Evan Turk, written by Matthew Burgess, published by Chronicle, ISBN: 978-1452179735, release date: April 4, 2023, ARC reviewed.
One of the many advantages of working with the great Fuse #8 Blogger Betsy Bird, and being on various library committees with her and doing an annual Favorite Picture Books presentation with her, is she loves to share her Advanced Reading Copies (sent to her by publishers) with me. Thanks Betsy!
As I went through a pile of books she heartily recommends, The Red Tin Box really jumped out at me. First, the ever-inventive Evan Turk serves up some first-rate illustrations, and the versatile author Matthew Burgess does what he does best with the text (creating gentle prose that radiates pure compassion). The book does not come out until April 4, 2023, but I adore it so much, hence the early review.
The Red Tin Box tells a story that feels epic, spanning over many decades, zipping through the main character’s entire life. And yet it also revolves around one quiet, single event: the night a child named Maude buried a little box filled with treasures under a “flowering dogwood” tree. Maude then grows up and has a great life. Years later she brings her granddaughter to that dogwood tree and digs up the box, and she has a flood of memories and emotions that she shares with the child.
Perhaps some might say that the book sounds emotionally manipulative or treacly, but in Burgess’ capable hands, each carefully chosen word feels just right. And each development in the narrative keeps the reader captivated. Turk brings his cinematic A game to this project. His gouache paintings and double page spreads possess an idiosyncratic use of light, shadow, colors and perspective. Turk captures the warmth and humanity of the story with each vivid image.
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