Book Buzz: The Best Place in the World
The Best Place in the World
Written & illustrated by Petr Horácek
Ages 5-7, Candlewick Press
Hare and his rabbit friends are sitting on a hill, overlooking their beautiful meadow. “Do you think this is the best place in the whole world?” Hare asks his friends. And with that, Hare’s journey of looking for the best place in the world begins.
Hare asks his rabbit friends why they like the meadow so much. “It’s the place where we run and play together,” they say as they take off running.
“But surely we can run anywhere,” said Hare.
Hare asks more of his friends why they think their meadow is the best place in the whole world.
Bear loves the meadow because there are bees. And where there are bees, there is honey and sharing that honey with Hare.
“But bees and Honey are everywhere,” says Hare.
Hare’s bird friends love the meadow because it is surrounded by trees. “We love singing to you from high up,” they say.
“But there are high trees everywhere,” says Hare.
Duck likes to swim in the meadow’s stream. That’s why he likes the meadow.
“But there are streams everywhere,” says Hare.
Finally, Hare visits Owl who suggests that Hare explores the world and finds out for himself.
So, off Hare goes on an expedition across the world. He visits broad meadows that his rabbit friends would love. Crosses streams and rivers with gushing waterfalls that Duck would like. Climbs the highest mountains that birds would love. Watches a golden honey sunset of the ocean that Bear would adore.
Soon, he finds himself in the desert at night, looking up at the stars. He feels lonely. Suddenly, he knows the answer to his quest. He heads home… where all his friends are… in the best place in the world… the large meadow.
Horácek’s mixed media illustrations are loose and painterly. They energize the text with bright colors and impressionistic strokes that add to the drama of the text.
The Best Place in the World offers a different look at the common belief that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
Chuck Galey writes and illustrates picture books. Visit his website to see what he’s up to at www.chuckgaley.com.
