Special Saturday Storytime with Matthew Cordell: Explorers

We are thrilled to welcome Caldecott Award-winning author and illustrator Matthew Cordell back to The Book Stall for a Special Edition of our weekly Saturday Storytime. He’ll be reading from his newest title, Explorers, on Saturday, December 7th at 10:30 AM in the store (811 Elm St. in Winnetka). As an extra treat, Matthew will draw for us! This event is free and open to the picture book fans of all ages.

About the Book: When a family goes to a local museum, a boy notices a homeless man sitting outside, making brightly colored origami birds. He convinces his dad to buy a bird the man makes just for him. Once inside the museum, his little sister takes the bird and launches it into the air. Is it lost? Soon another boy helps him look, and the paper bird brings two families—and two new friends—together. With the style he perfected in Wolf in the Snow, Matthew Cordell shows how an ordinary family outing can be both extraordinary and magical.

The School Library Journal gave Explorers high praise, saying, “The family dynamics, as displayed through the body language and facial expressions of the characters, are touching and authentic. …The pen-and-ink with watercolor illustrations are compelling and thought-provoking, telling the story in its entirety yet allowing readers plenty of room for their own predictions and interpretations…A substantial picture book about the very best kind of magic. ”

About the Author: Matthew Cordell is the author and illustrator of Caldecott Award winner Wolf in the Snow as well as Trouble Gum, Another Brother, hello! hello!, and Wish. He has illustrated the books of renowned authors including Philip Stead (Special Delivery), Rachel Vail (the Justin Case series), and Gail Carson Levine (Forgive Me, I Meant to Do It). He lives outside of Chicago with his wife, the novelist Julie Halpern, and their two children.