One Little Bag: An Amazing Journey - by Henry Cole (Hardcover)

About the Book

In pictures without words, the reader follows the journey of one brown paper bag from a tree in the forest through the years it is used by three generations of one family until eventually the old bag becomes the container in which a new tree is planted.

Book Synopsis

An evocative wordless picture book that is a loving tribute to mindful living on our precious planet.

* "Beautifully effective." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review* "Deeply profound... compelling... emotionally resonant." -- School Library Journal, starred review* "Elevating the life of an ephemeral object to the time scale of love across generations." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

From a tall tree growing in the forest--to the checkout counter at the grocery store--one little bag finds its way into the hands of a young boy on the eve of his first day of school.

And so begins an incredible journey of one little bag that is usedand reusedand reused again.

In a three-generation family, the bag is transporter of objects and keeper of memories. And when Grandfather comes to the end of his life, the family finds a meaningful new way for the battered, but much-loved little bag to continue its journey in the circle of life.

Review Quotes

Praise forOne Little Bag: An Amazing Journey: * "The skilled black-ink drawings lend a look of pleasant harmony to all the characters that populate the pages, from woodland creatures to humans of various ages and gender and racial presentations. Meticulous attention to composition, textures, and period detail-starting around the 1960s-makes each page a delight... Because there are no words, children are left to draw their own conclusions... Beautifully effective as both nostalgia trip and lesson in conservation." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review* "[The story's] message is deeply profound.... Nostalgia and love abound .... bringing tears to the eyes of readers of all ages with each detailed image.... [A] compelling and emotionally resonant addition to Earth Day curricula, especially as an inspiration for reusing items as long as possible." -- School Library Journal, starred review* "By elevating the life of an ephemeral object to the time scale of love across generations, Cole nudges readers to take a second look at the things they throw away. An author's note describes how Earth Day prodded Cole to reuse the same paper lunch bag for years." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

About the Author

Henry Cole was an adored elementary-school science teacher for sixteen years. He has since illustrated over 150 popular books (some of which he has also authored), including his wordless Forever Home, award-winning picture book Unspoken, which was named an ALA Notable Children's Book and a New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book, and his book One Little Bag, which was also named an ALA Notable Book, and received three starred reviews. He lives in Florida. To find out more about Henry, go to henrycole.net.