Take a Walk with the Wind

Per an opening note, Xiong takes inspiration from Guo Zhong Chan’s Memories of Xiang Zhou to spin this evocative, nature-centered story about a mythical miniature being called a Treeling who takes a disruptive “walk with the wind.” The wind impatiently initiates the outing, awakening the pale-skinned, dark-haired babe and then stealing their tangerine-colored triangular cap (a rare splash of color across a palette otherwise composed of muted grays and sages). Turning into “a great gale,” the wind carries the Treeling aloft across a range of topographies and past myriad creatures, including “mushroom people” soaking up sun. Active verbs describe the swirling chaos provoked by every encounter, while delicate paintings depict cranes getting twisted up, monkeys clinging to a tree, and more. In each case, the Treeling—merely along for the ride—emphasizes, “It wasn’t me!” Eventually, the Treeling chastises their unruly companion, and “the tempest became a breeze, and slowly whispered along” behind. Meditative depictions of the fanciful relationship cast an atmospheric spell. “Wind Poem” concludes. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)