Just one more reason that more adults should read picture books.

The illustrations grab you right off, being deliciously creepy when appropriate, and infused with light at just the right moments. Each spread is rich with depth and emotion. The story begins very dark, touching on loss and loneliness and quiet despair. But things do start to cheer up, slowly but surely.

If you loved the movie "Up" this has some similar undertones. Echoes some of the loss and hope themes from The Rough Patch, another great picture book from this year.