Review Detail

If you are a fan of “Where the Wild Things Are” you will love “The Hideout” written by Susanna Mattiangeli accompanied by beautiful artistry by Felicita Sala. The story begins with a holler from the other room, “it’s time to go,” but where is Hannah? Nobody can find her. Why? She’s at the park in her secret hideout. While there she collects caterpillars and sticks, makes a bow and arrow, and builds a bed out of leaves. Her hideout is hidden deep in the shrubs, somewhere in the park.

The park reminds me of a park you would find in the middle of a big city. A haven of nature. When Hannah and her companion, an Odd Furry Creature hideout they build a campfire and become lost in their little world. They peer out through the vines and branches that hid from all the hustle and bustle of people visiting the park, eating ice cream, walking their dogs, taking naps on the lawn. Hannah makes a cape of feathers she finds throughout the park for her Odd Furry Creature that looks similar to angel wings.

A voice calls for Hannah, “where are you?” Hannah, who is seated at her desk in her room, brushes the eraser residue off her paper, and the reader realizes that she is not lost at all. She is not in the woods but instead inside her drawing reminding us all of the power of art and imagination that allows us to visit other worlds. The illustrations are some of my favorite art of all time. Beautifully drawn and frameable if you so desired to do so.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book from YA Books Central. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.