  | If I lived in the sky Author: Rajunov, Abigail | |
| Price: $23.98 | ||
Summary:
For fans of Matthew Forsythe and X. Fang comes a delightfully sharp picture book about the disappointments life can throw at you and the joy that can be found on the other side. Guy hates it here on the ground. It's dirty and smelly and loud and don't get him started on the other forest creatures. Oh how much better life would be if he lived in the sky! The places he'd go, the wind in his face and the trees far below! But of course, Guy cannot live in the sky.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (05/01/26)
School Library Journal (06/12/26)
Full Text Reviews:
Publishers Weekly - 04/06/2026 Rajunov’s soaring story spotlights a creaturely "guy who lives on the ground" and ponders what it would be like to live in the sky. Following musings on terrestrial life ("I hate it here"), assonant lines contemplate how taking up residence above could provide an alternate view. When an unexpected avian encounter results in a joyous connection, the event reveals the bearlike protagonist’s loneliness, leading to heartbreak-and the possibility of ground-level community. Displaying acrylic gouache, pastel, and colored pencil techniques, soft and dreamy illustrations evoke the subject’s interactions in warm hues and solitude in cool tones. Leaning into a bloom-where-you’re-planted ending, the tranquil-feeling book’s take on emotional ups and downs provides inspiration for a life lived contentedly. Ages 4-8. (June) - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly used with permission.
School Library Journal - 06/12/2026 PreS-Gr 1—A little blue bear who laments his life on the ground wonders, "What if I were a guy who lived in the sky?" As he lies on a tree branch and ponders this dream, he's taken on a wild flight of fancy with birds, dragons, and unicorns in the air. Readers will spot other forest creatures enjoying playful group activities that don't seem to satisfy the bear. However, a closer look reveals that these animals all have special companions: two frogs, two rabbits, two foxes, and a trio of ants. The bear, on the other hand, has no one. In a subtle turning point, the gentle first-person narration admits, "If I lived in the sky, I could be with you," referring to an enigmatic white bird. When this bird leaves with the flock, the bear returns to the company of the other animals and, happily, makes peace with their merry, earthbound ways. Unfortunately, Rajunov's rhyming verse detracts from the story's creativity. In multiple spots, the rhythm is jerky and inconsistent; moreover, the phrasing and word choice call attention to themselves as attempts to make the rhyme scheme work. The illustrations, however, are a delight. Rajunov's art, executed in acrylic gouache, pastels, and colored pencils, features soft, loose lines and a swirling energy. The color choices create a strong visual language, and dark, moody earth tones of the forest give way to open swaths of pale color up above. VERDICT Though the writing falters, this tender, introspective, and visually engaging story offers complexity and emotional depth.—Jonah Dragan - Copyright 2026 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
