Description

In this stunning story from New York Times bestselling creator Cori Doerrfeld, a child and their grandfather take a walk in the woods and discover more about themselves.

Finn is in a horrible mood and doesn't want to talk about it. After some persuading, though, they agree to go for a hike with Grandpa. Throughout their forest walk, they see many different things: big, strong trees with networks of roots growing underneath, still water with schools of fish swimming below, and an expectant bird with eggs nestled under her. It’s when the pair pass fellow hikers that Finn realizes that people, just like the elements of nature, are more than they appear. Grandpa explains that sometimes beneath a person who seems like they won't understand what you’re feeling, is someone feeling the exact same way. 
 
This sweet and tender picture book celebrates our similarities, differences, and that there's always more under the surface of what we can see.


 

What's Inside

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Praise

An American Library Association Notable Children's Book of 2024
An Amazon Best Book of the Month for January 2023
An NPR Books We Love
A CCBC Choices Best Book of 2023
* "No need to scratch beneath the surface of this text to find the glint of gold. It’s apparent right from the start." —Kirkus, starred review
* "Beneath is a rare picture book that truly meets both young readers and adults where they are." —BookPage, starred review
“There’s plenty [in this original picture book] to discuss on various levels…. The inviting digital art works seamlessly with the well-worded text.” —Booklist
“A subtle message buoyed by thoughtful…reveals.” —Publishers Weekly
“Artistically and emotionally compelling…brisk enough for the very young and affecting enough for older [readers].” —School Library Journal
“Doerrfeld subtly guides readers….negative spaces within the softly textured but vibrantly hued digital illustrations depict X-Ray-like perspectives of the items “beneath” each scene...”
  —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“A poignant picture book that encourages [us] to remember that much of life is hidden from view.” —The Wall Street Journal
"Beneath the surface of Cori Doerrfeld's quiet story lies a deep emotional intelligence, and like her other bestselling book The Rabbit Listened, this one will open up important conversations between readers of all ages." —Minh Lê, author of Drawn Together and Enlighten Me (NPR holiday gift guide)
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