Imagine!
1. Bibliographic:
Colón, Raul. Imagine! New York: Simon & Schuster for Young Readers, 2018. ISBN
9781481462730
2. Summary:
In this wordless picture book, a boy visits an art museum, presumably for the first time,
and the art he encounters captures his imagination. The figures of art come to life, dancing
out of their frames to join him in an adventure through New York City and back again to
the museum, inspiring the boy to take his experiences and re-create them on a wall in his
own neighborhood.
and the art he encounters captures his imagination. The figures of art come to life, dancing
out of their frames to join him in an adventure through New York City and back again to
the museum, inspiring the boy to take his experiences and re-create them on a wall in his
own neighborhood.
3. Critical analysis:
This chalk- illustrated, wordless story is told through panels and large page layouts depicting
a child being inspired by the art he encounters on his visit to the museum. The illustrations
mimic that of the artwork in the museum, further immersing the boy and the reader into
the magic of the art. There’s also a hidden little treat of a pigeon that shows up on every
page that takes place outside. While the boy appears to be non-white, there are no stereotypes
or negative images associated with him, and the story does not center on his race
specifically. The theme is one of new experiences sparking imagination and creativity, and
the transformative power of art. I highly recommend reading the author’s note at the end
of the story.
a child being inspired by the art he encounters on his visit to the museum. The illustrations
mimic that of the artwork in the museum, further immersing the boy and the reader into
the magic of the art. There’s also a hidden little treat of a pigeon that shows up on every
page that takes place outside. While the boy appears to be non-white, there are no stereotypes
or negative images associated with him, and the story does not center on his race
specifically. The theme is one of new experiences sparking imagination and creativity, and
the transformative power of art. I highly recommend reading the author’s note at the end
of the story.
4. Review Excerpts:
Similar to his previous reflection on imagination, Draw! (2014), Colón’s latest again
challenges readers to discover inspiration through ingenious means. Wonder fills the boy’s
face as he observes the artworks adorning the museum walls, including Pablo Picasso’s T
hree Musicians, Henri Rousseau’s The Sleeping Gypsy, and Henri Matisse’s Icarus. -
Kirkus Review, June 2018
challenges readers to discover inspiration through ingenious means. Wonder fills the boy’s
face as he observes the artworks adorning the museum walls, including Pablo Picasso’s T
hree Musicians, Henri Rousseau’s The Sleeping Gypsy, and Henri Matisse’s Icarus. -
Kirkus Review, June 2018
With his impressive and whimsical illustrations, [Colón] successfully taps into the imaginative
world of a budding young artist who, to paraphrase Colón, feels the artistic fireworks explode
and the floodgates open when seeing masterworks in person. Imagine! honors all aspects
of the Caldecott Award criteria, respecting the intelligence and potential of child readers.
- Brian Wilson for Horn Book, December 2018.
Companion book by Raul Colon: Draw!
ISBN 978-1442494923
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