Sample Press & Reviews
Illustrator Bagram Ibatoulline can create images so exquisitely realistic that they could be mistaken for photographs. The remarkable verisimilitude of his work is on beautiful display in the sepia-toned pages of 'The Matchbox Diary'…
— The Wall Street Journal
One of the great illustrators of our time takes on one of the knottier Andersen fairy tales, producing a gorgeous and winning result.
— Kirkus Reviews
Simple text and remarkable artwork make this a great selection for read-alouds and parent-child bonding.
— School Library Journal
As in the last book they did together, ‘The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane,’ (Kate DiCamillo and Bagram Ibatoulline) show that they are masters of crossing the delicate line into rank sentiment while still holding on to their dignity.
— The Los Angeles Times
Each frame of the story is captured like an old-time movie in Ibatoulline's tender watercolor and acrylic gouache artwork.
— Booklist
Ibatoulline has outdone himself—such talent poured out for the enjoyment of children, lucky things!—by channeling the Pre-Raphaelite ethos. This is a sumptuously beautiful book from start to finish.
— The Wall Street Journal
The fabulous duo of DiCamillo and Ibatoulline, who gave us the beautiful 'Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane' last year, has teamed up for a picture book that could become a holiday classic.
— Kansas City Star
Ibatoulline invites you into his sweeping, realistic scenes with cleverly shifting perspectives.
— The New York Times
Most striking of all are the illustrations; using watercolors, Ibatoulline has created tangible images of Meilland’s life, and readers of all ages will be in awe of the realistic appearance of each one.
— School Library Journal
In Ibatoulline’s haunting illustrations, a ‘wild wind’ takes a forlorn scarecrow and sends it dancing across fields. Looking eerily human, it flies over cornstalks into a starlit sky.
— The New York Times
This unique book will delight fans of trains, and it will also charm illustration connoisseurs, for Bagram Ibatoulline has truly created a work of art.
— Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
