I have been in a reading slump the last few months. I started three books and did not finish them—not because of the books but because my brain could not focus. But last week, I read a book that brightened my day and my mood. It’s a picture book by Blair Braverman called The Day Leap Soared.
I’ve been a fan of Braverman’s for a while. I’ve read her memoir, Welcome to the Goddamn Ice Cube, about her time a Norwegian folk school, and her book Dogs on the Trail, about life with her sled dogs in northern Wisconsin. This is her first picture book, and it is delightful.
The story focuses on one of Braverman’s sled dog puppies, Leap, and features other members of her team. Puppy Leap looks at the grown-up dogs around her and notices their special talents and wonders what her special talent will be. It’s an adorable story about finding yourself.
Olivia When’s illustrations are cute as heck and whimsical and capture each dog’s unique personality. (I loved When’s art so much that I bought some postcards from her shop.)
On the whole, Braverman’s book looks beautiful and shares a beautiful message about being true to yourself. It’s worth checking out.