Lê, Minh. The Blur. Illustrated by Dan Santat. Alfred A. Knopf, 2022. 978-0-593-37746-8. Unpaged. $18.99. PreK+.

Any parent will tell you, when you have children, the years pass so quickly. In fact, it might be said they go by in a blur. Lê’s book, illustrated by award-winning artist Dan Santat, remembers and celebrates the whirlwind that is childhood. Beginning in infancy, Lê introduces readers to his adorable superhero, The Blur. The Blur’s super powers include supersonic voice, enhanced hearing, propensity to rush into danger, and, of course, ultra-magnetism (everyone is attracted to the cute tot). In the blink of an eye, or the turn of a page, The Blur passes from toddler to youngster to teen, while proud, exhausted, loving parents trail behind, there to celebrate successes, comfort failures, and patch up bruises. Eventually, The Blur graduates from high school and dashes off to college. Santat’s sweet drawings, steeped in warm tones, power the emotional punch of the story. This sentimental book celebrates the joy of watching children grow and mature. While the book will make a fun read aloud between parent and child, its true target audience may be high school graduates (given the conclusion of the book) or new and expecting parents. Children may giggle over the idea they have super powers, but the emotional impact of the book is definitely an adult experience. The featured family is Asian. 

THOUGHTS: A delightful, charming book that may find a better fit with older and adult readers than the very young. 

Picture Book          Nancy Nadig, Penn Manor SD