Trying by Kobi Yamada & Elise Hurst

If you’ve been reading this blog for any amount of time you know I LOVE Kobi Yamada. His books do an astounding job of taking a single concept or action and presenting it in a unique, easily digestible and understandable way, all with breathtakingly clever artwork. Trying is no exception, although this one is for a little older kids. Alexander (age 7) and I not only loved reading it, the book provided a wonderful springboard to conversation and a kind of touchstone when he gets frustrated learning something new.

Trying follows a simple little sculptor as he stumbles through the journey from novice to… He experiences doubt and frustration long with a yearning to create something beautiful. The illustrations swirl like smoke with hints and splashes of color here and there.