About the Author

Sophie Blackall has illustrated many books, including the Ivy + Bean series, Ruby's Wish, and has twice won the Caldecott Medal. Originally from Australia, Sophie now spends half her time in Brooklyn, New York, and half her time on planes and boats and trains, trying to see as much of our world as she can.

Reviews

"[E]xquisite . . . Magnificent . . . [D]azzling. . . . [If You Come to Earth] is a book that can be shared with strangers, visitors, friends old and new--a work in which differences build to reveal an inclusive human family on a single, precious planet."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

"[Sophie Blackall's] signature Chinese ink and watercolor illustrations will draw children in for repeat readings to pore over each detail. . . . Each page is well researched and inclusive, as Blackall depicts the many different people who live in the world. . . . With its gorgeous and intricate illustrations, [If You Come to Earth] is perfect for sharing."--School Library Journal, starred review

"[V]ivid, delicate, and precise, Blackall composes intricate spreads that express the vast diversity of the planet. . . As a two-time Caldecott winner, [she] is deservedly celebrated, and here she pairs her accomplished artwork with a story children will want to read and a message that resonates. [If You Come to Earth] is one to take your time with, savor, and share with others."--Booklist, starred review

"Blackall writes in honest, uncomplicated prose, her unpretentious statements all the more resonant for their frankness. She covers nearly every aspect of existence. . . . Blackall's colorful, clever illustrations feel as though she has focused a giant microscope on the planet. You could spend hours poring over the details on every page. . . . [If You Come to Earth is] a sprawling, ambitious take on some of life's biggest questions."--BookPage

"It's far and away the best work she's done. . . . No detail escapes Blackall's attention, though; close reading is richly rewarded. . . . Though its scope is expansive, "If You Come to Earth" feels, in the end, intimate."--The New York Times

"The true delight of [If You Come to Earth] lies in its stunning illustrations. Each page features a dynamic, energetic composition, a wealth of precise detail arranged in unexpected ways. . . . Sweet, funny, moving, timely, and beautiful."--Horn Book Magazine, starred review

"To take care of one another and the Earth, we must truly see one another as unique and valued. . . . Throughout [If You Come to Earth], diverse people are distinctively, carefully portrayed, emphasizing representation and visibility. . . . Two-time Caldecott Medalist Blackall's rich illustration invites return visits to investigate all the small, and big, details they contain. . . . An introduction to Earth for children big and small who live in this galaxy, or beyond."--Kirkus Reviews