Druthers

Druthers begins with a girl, Penelope, suffering rain-induced boredom. That’s a common picture book scenario, but none the worse for wear. Luckily for Penelope, her kind and cooperative father is there to participate in a range of imagined adventures, from going to the zoo, to going to the moon. Without giving spoilers, suffice it to say that Penelope and her dad are not bored. The story arc is very simple, but filled with imagination and love.

The illustrations are the book’s greatest strength. Matt Phelan’s style is perfect for picture books. He uses image size, from spot art to full-bleed spread, to accentuate the story. Many of the image backgrounds are in cooler, muted colors, helping the characters pop on the page. The backgrounds feature interesting and sometimes humorous details. For example, near the end, they sit in Penelope’s room, exhausted and disheveled, in a sea of toys that relate to the adventures recently shared. Most importantly, the images convey the sweetness of the two characters.