A Walk in the Woods

Praise

“[A] wise and heartfelt tale. . . .”— The New York Times  
 
“Writer Nikki Grimes and illustrator Jerry Pinkney, both legends in their own right, decided to finally collaborate on a children’s book. . . While mourning the death of her friend and the project that brought the two so much joy, Grimes found out, through Pinkney’s wife, that their son Brian Pinkney, also an illustrator, would add watercolor to his dad’s finished pencil sketches to complete them.”—Smithsonian Magazine

★ “Illustrations and narrative are warp and weft in a beautifully crafted story of grief and triumph. Great for any children’s collection.” —School Library Journal, Starred Review

★ “A powerfully layered call to creativity and loving bonds that endure beyond death. . . .”—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

★ “Together, Grimes and the Pinkneys have produced a profoundly stirring and thought-provoking musing on how the ones we love never really leave us. Joy and hope walk alongside sadness and grief in this unforgettable work.”—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

★ “Grimes wrote the free verse text, which tells the story concisely, while expressing the boy’s shifting emotions beautifully. Before his death in 2021, Jerry Pinkney finished the detailed, engaging drawings, which reflect his love for the natural world. Afterwards, his son Brian Pinkney was asked to add the watercolor washes, which have a distinctive, ethereal quality that enhances the story. An original, inspiring picture book.”—Booklist, Starred Review

★ “An exquisite story of heartbreak and hope. The collaboration between Grimes and both Pinkneys is seamless, as if all were completely of one mind.”—BookPage, Starred Review
 
★ “Grimes’ lyrical, skillful text evokes the deep, painful well of the boy’s sorrow yet manages to balance that angst with the wonder and joy he finds along his walk, highlighting the complexity of grief within a constantly changing natural world that relies on both life and death to continue. . . . The artistic collaboration is a true wonder, as Jerry’s signature thin, sketchy linework is brought to life by Brian’s radiant, swirling watercolors, creating a splendid mix of energy and delicacy that complements Grimes’ text with ease.”—The Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books, Starred Review

★ “Grimes captures the woods’ sensory delights with precision and lyricism. . . . To see Jerry’s sketches lit by Brian’s dazzling colors and swirling lines is wondrous. This exceptional story stands as a moving account of a Black boy finding solace in nature–but also serves as a marvelous tribute to Jerry Pinkney.”—Shelf Awareness, Starred Review

★ “Grimes’s celebration of nature is as eloquent as her treatment of loss is poignant. Brian Pinkney’s watercolor illustrations are equally expressive.”—The Horn Book, Starred Review