By: Trish Cooke / Illustrated by: Ken Wilson-Max

Playing catch with Mom is the best way to explore the worldand finish the day!

Kiona and Mom play catch with a ball, an apple, a balloon, some bubbles, and more! Each object feels different to the touch (too big or slippery or soft), and each object seems to fall from Kiona’s graspbut she never gives up.

Finally at the end of a play-filled day, Mom knows just the thing Kiona can catchand keep forever!

If you like this book, youll enjoy these:
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Bbo

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Author & Illustrator

Trish Cooke, author

Trish Cooke is the author of many books for children, including How Anansi Got His Stories. Trish also writes scripts for TV, theater, and radio. She lives and writes in the UK.

Read more about Trish.

Ken Wilson-Max, illustrator

Ken Wilson-Max is the illustrator of dozens of books for children, including Astro Girl, Eco Girl, as well as the Little Vehicle series. Ken’s books have received many honors and recognitions, and he was nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2023.

Read more about Ken.

Awards & Honors

• Coming soon!

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly, starred review

A game of catch turns into a daylong attunement practice in this playfully conceptual picture book from Cooke (The Magic Callaloo) and Wilson-Max (the Wonder Kids series). As Mom and Kiona play on a sunny afternoon, the child appears eager to participate, standing with arms outstretched to receive a ball that quickly proves too big. The two try alternatives, but each object has a drawback: a berry is too small to see, a hard apple hurts, and a balloon and bath bubble pop. No problem, says Mom each timeLets find something else. Kiona initially embraces the spirit of experimentation, but after a long day, frustration takes over. Happily, Mom has one more idea: she blows Kiona a kiss. Catch! proclaims the typography once more, leading to Kionas snagging it on her nose, where it remains forever and ever. Acrylic illustrations keep things beautifully basic throughout, as bold outlines and saturated colors give off the feel of fresh tempera paint, while simple, direct prose creates a clever arc that echoes catch at its simplestjust two people sharing moments back and forth. Characters are portrayed with brown skin. Ages 36. (May)

Details

Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-62354-622-9

Ages: 36
Page count: 32
TRIM SIZE 81/2x 101/4

Publication date: May 6, 2025

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