La La La: A Story of Hope
Kate DiCamillo, Author
Jaime Kim, Illustrator
Candlewick, Fiction, Oct. 3, 2017
Suitable for Ages: 4-8
Themes: Loneliness, Connecting, Hope
Synopsis: “La la la . . . la.” A little girl stands alone and sings, but hears no response. Gathering her courage and her curiosity, she skips farther out into the world, singing away to the trees and the pond and the reeds — but no song comes back to her. Day passes into night, and the girl dares to venture into the darkness toward the light of the moon, becoming more insistent in her singing, climbing as high as she can, but still there is silence in return. Dejected, she falls asleep on the ground, only to be awakened by an amazing sound. . . . She has been heard. At last.
Why I like this story:
Kate DiCamillio and Jaime Kim team up to create this strikingly beautiful wordless picture book that highlights a girl’s journey to connect with life — the trees, the pond, the woods, and the moon. The girl is persistent, curious and endearing. Her journey is about overcoming loneliness and never giving up hope no matter how rejected she may feel. She sings out a very simple call “La la la,” and listens for a response.
Jaime Kim’s gracefully captures the girl’s longing through her captivating illustrations. They breathe life into this expressive young adventurer and send her off on a captivating journey.
Resources: Make sure you read the author and illustrator notes at the end of the book to gain greater understanding about their lovely collaboration. Children will relate to the feelings of loneliness and will imagine the wordless story. This is a great discussion book.
Kate DiCamillo is the beloved author of many books for children, including Flora & Ulysses and The Tale of Despereaux, both of which received Newbery Medals. A former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, she lives in Minneapolis.
Jaime (Jimyung) Kim was born and raised in Korea before moving to the United States at the age of eighteen. She works in gouache and acrylics to create her beautiful, tender, and dreamlike landscapes and characters. Jaime Kim lives in North Carolina.
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books (PPB) with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s website.
This sounds quite profound and moving journey of connection.
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It is a moving journey. Even more so, once you read the back matter from the author and illustrator.
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I adore Kate DiCamillo! She can do anything – from beautifully crafted middle grade stories to wordless picture books! Looking forward to seeing this one!
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Both Kate and Jaime really pulled off a captivating story. You must read the story behind the story.
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Sounds like this one will tug at the heartstrings! Thanks for your review, definitely going to read it.
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It certainly will be a fun book to read with children. The illustrations will guide their imaginations.
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Kate DiCamillo is amazing! Everyone wants to be heard. I like the sound of this book. (no pun intended!)
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She is amazing. I loved reading about how the story idea came to her and how Jaime breathed life into it with her captivating illustrations.
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Yay — persistence pays off! I love Kate KiCamillo; I’ll check this out!
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That cover sure gives you an idea of how lively and determined this little girl is to be heard.
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I’m so interested in wordless picture books. Thanks for telling me about this one. I will check it out.
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I think you’ll find this Kate DiCamillo book quite interesting. Read the back story.
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If ever a book invited readers to sing!!!
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Isn’t that cover the best. You’ll really see how much Jaime Kim’s artwork enhanced this very basic story. She was given so much artistic freedom!
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Wordless picture books can be so much fun! This one sounds very special, but then that’s no surprise, considering who wrote it. One of my all-time favourite books is The Miraculous Journey of Edward Toulane!
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I think they are a wonderful way to encourage children to imagine the story by looking at the illustrations. Would love to hear the whispers of the many versions that will emerge for kids.
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This sounds lovely, Patricia. And wordless picture books are excellent for the discussion they may initiate.
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I think kids love them because they can tell the story and talk about it.
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I was just thinking the same thing (as Julie RZ said) when I saw this cover and your review. Beautiful. Thanks Pat.
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Yes, I agree! The cover will appeal to many kids. Love the foot up in the air.
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I will definitely read this one. Just reading your review reminds me of when I used to sing in the forest, hoping that a bird or squirrel might answer. It sounds like a beautiful story (and story behind the story) – thanks for making sure we saw this one.
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I used to sing to the trees, birds and animals in the woods as a kids. I thought of them as my chorus.
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