{"id":7914931290349,"title":"All About Nothing","handle":"all-about-nothing","description":"\u003ch6\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/elizabeth-rusch\"\u003eElizabeth Rusch\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/elizabeth-goss\"\u003eElizabeth Goss\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe most amazing things can happen when there is nothing.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn artful picture-book exploration of negative space and the beauty of nothingness. This mindful meditation encourages children to see the world differently.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNothing is really something! What might be hidden in the space around things, and how is that space important? In art, this is known as negative space, but “nothing” can be thought of more broadly—as free time during the day or the space between people. When we allow ourselves a moment of nothingness, we make room for creativity and so much more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ten-beautiful-things\"\u003eTen Beautiful Things\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/powwow-day\"\u003ePowwow Day\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/usha-and-the-big-digger\"\u003eUsha and the Big Digger\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/dream-big-little-scientists\"\u003eDream Big, Little Scientists\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/all-about-nothing-spread.jpg?v=1660330883\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/all-about-nothing-cover.jpg?v=1660330883\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/all-about-nothing-cover-hires.jpeg.zip?v=1660330883\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/all-about-noticing-series-activity-kit.pdf?v=1713975831\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Series Activity Kit\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eElizabeth Rusch, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElizabeth Rusch is the author of more than two dozen award-winning children’s books, including \u003cem\u003eA Day with No Crayons, The Music of Life, Zee Grows a Tree, Volcano Rising, \u003c\/em\u003eand\u003cem\u003e Mario and the Hole in the Sky,\u003c\/em\u003e winner of the AAAS\/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books, the Green Earth Book Award, the Cook Prize, and the Golden Kite Award.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/elizabeth-rusch\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Elizabeth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eElizabeth Goss, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElizabeth Goss is an illustrator, author, and papercutter. Her picture book \u003ci\u003eMy Way West: Real Kids Traveling the Oregon and California Trails\u003c\/i\u003e won the Paterson Prize for Books for Young People. A proud member of the Guild of American Papercutters, Elizabeth teaches art workshops across the Pacific Northwest and loves welcoming students of all ages into the world of papercutting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/elizabeth-goss\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Elizabeth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Horn Book\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRusch’s thought-provoking text begins: “Nothing is the space around and between everything.” The presence of nothing, cued by plain white areas in the cut-paper illustrations, appears first as physical space: the gap where a tooth once sat, the expanse between stars in the sky, the space for a missing puzzle piece. Important, too, is nothing as temporal space: the moment before a leap of faith or a bit of spare time in one’s day. Even in music, room for nothing fosters beauty: “For what is a song without some silence?” There can be, of course, too much or too little of nothing. On these spreads in particular, Goss’s use of color and space makes a strong emotional impact: a queasy-green child sandwiched between tightly packed adults in a crowd finds “too little” of nothing, while a blue-hued child sulks surrounded by “too much” of nothing amid a stark white double-page spread. Wherever nothing is found, there is space for something to unfurl. Goss’s intricate illustrations visually articulate the importance of nothing, or negative space, as discussed in the back matter. A striking call for young children and aspiring artists alike, the story sets out to prove that “nothing” matters, after all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eChildren's Literature\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat is nothing? What does the absence of everything mean? It is in the emptiness that surrounds everything that is, and it is the space between. Just like its name suggests, outer space sure has a lot of nothing. This space is what creates life. Nothing can help us read, notice, and see new things. It’s not just the absence of what we can see, though. It can be a feeling, such as anticipation or rest. Sometimes we feel so overcrowded because there is not enough nothing, but other times we are lonely because there is too much nothing. Sometimes there is the perfect balance! When we use nothing thoughtfully, we can create beauty. The main text is followed by a spread about the artistic use of negative space, from relatable examples like jack-o’-lanterns to how designers think. The reader is encouraged to try cutting paper and making use of taking away, of creating space, in the same manner as the illustrations in the book were made by cutting paper. The illustrations throughout are both simple and powerful, making use of positive and negative space while also conveying the feelings that coincide. Just like the concept of zero is hard for children to grasp at first, so is the concept of nothing. This book doesn’t just talk about nothing; it captures and shows it off expertly. Some children may not be ready to understand nothing, but this is great read for those who are. This book promotes deep thinking and reflection, mindfulness and meditation, and even artistic expression, and is well-suited to the art of elementary classroom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-352-5\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 4-8\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e9 x 9\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2022-08-29T15:22:05-04:00","created_at":"2022-08-29T15:05:57-04:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Ages 3-6","Browse by Age_Ages 6-10","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Nonfiction","Browse by Format_Picture Book","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Art\/Music\/Theater","Browse by Subject_Life Lessons \u0026 Skills","Browse by Subject_Story Time \u0026 Play"],"price":1799,"price_min":1799,"price_max":1799,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":43262469701869,"title":"Hardcover","option1":"Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"43525","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":37751158374637,"product_id":7914931290349,"position":1,"created_at":"2022-08-29T15:09:51-04:00","updated_at":"2022-08-29T15:09:52-04:00","alt":null,"width":600,"height":600,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/all-about-nothing-cover.jpg?v=1661800192","variant_ids":[43262469701869]},"available":true,"name":"All About Nothing - Hardcover","public_title":"Hardcover","options":["Hardcover"],"price":1799,"weight":369,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":9,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"978-1-62354-352-5","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":30330605404397,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":600,"width":600,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/all-about-nothing-cover.jpg?v=1661800192"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/all-about-nothing-cover.jpg?v=1661800192"],"featured_image":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/all-about-nothing-cover.jpg?v=1661800192","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":30330605404397,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":600,"width":600,"src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/all-about-nothing-cover.jpg?v=1661800192"},"aspect_ratio":1.0,"height":600,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/charlesbridgeteen.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/all-about-nothing-cover.jpg?v=1661800192","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003ch6\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/elizabeth-rusch\"\u003eElizabeth Rusch\u003c\/a\u003e \/ Illustrated by: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/elizabeth-goss\"\u003eElizabeth Goss\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe most amazing things can happen when there is nothing.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn artful picture-book exploration of negative space and the beauty of nothingness. This mindful meditation encourages children to see the world differently.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNothing is really something! What might be hidden in the space around things, and how is that space important? In art, this is known as negative space, but “nothing” can be thought of more broadly—as free time during the day or the space between people. When we allow ourselves a moment of nothingness, we make room for creativity and so much more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these:\u003cbr\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/products\/ten-beautiful-things\"\u003eTen Beautiful Things\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/powwow-day\"\u003ePowwow Day\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/usha-and-the-big-digger\"\u003eUsha and the Big Digger\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/dream-big-little-scientists\"\u003eDream Big, Little Scientists\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"cvr-border-gray\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/all-about-nothing-spread.jpg?v=1660330883\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e \u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES BELOW - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg alt=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/all-about-nothing-cover.jpg?v=1660330883\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/all-about-nothing-cover-hires.jpeg.zip?v=1660330883\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/all-about-noticing-series-activity-kit.pdf?v=1713975831\" class=\"product-btn\"\u003eDownload the Series Activity Kit\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthor \u0026amp; Illustrator\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eElizabeth Rusch, author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElizabeth Rusch is the author of more than two dozen award-winning children’s books, including \u003cem\u003eA Day with No Crayons, The Music of Life, Zee Grows a Tree, Volcano Rising, \u003c\/em\u003eand\u003cem\u003e Mario and the Hole in the Sky,\u003c\/em\u003e winner of the AAAS\/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books, the Green Earth Book Award, the Cook Prize, and the Golden Kite Award.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/elizabeth-rusch\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Elizabeth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eElizabeth Goss, illustrator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eElizabeth Goss is an illustrator, author, and papercutter. Her picture book \u003ci\u003eMy Way West: Real Kids Traveling the Oregon and California Trails\u003c\/i\u003e won the Paterson Prize for Books for Young People. A proud member of the Guild of American Papercutters, Elizabeth teaches art workshops across the Pacific Northwest and loves welcoming students of all ages into the world of papercutting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/elizabeth-goss\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Elizabeth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing soon!\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Horn Book\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRusch’s thought-provoking text begins: “Nothing is the space around and between everything.” The presence of nothing, cued by plain white areas in the cut-paper illustrations, appears first as physical space: the gap where a tooth once sat, the expanse between stars in the sky, the space for a missing puzzle piece. Important, too, is nothing as temporal space: the moment before a leap of faith or a bit of spare time in one’s day. Even in music, room for nothing fosters beauty: “For what is a song without some silence?” There can be, of course, too much or too little of nothing. On these spreads in particular, Goss’s use of color and space makes a strong emotional impact: a queasy-green child sandwiched between tightly packed adults in a crowd finds “too little” of nothing, while a blue-hued child sulks surrounded by “too much” of nothing amid a stark white double-page spread. Wherever nothing is found, there is space for something to unfurl. Goss’s intricate illustrations visually articulate the importance of nothing, or negative space, as discussed in the back matter. A striking call for young children and aspiring artists alike, the story sets out to prove that “nothing” matters, after all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eChildren's Literature\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat is nothing? What does the absence of everything mean? It is in the emptiness that surrounds everything that is, and it is the space between. Just like its name suggests, outer space sure has a lot of nothing. This space is what creates life. Nothing can help us read, notice, and see new things. It’s not just the absence of what we can see, though. It can be a feeling, such as anticipation or rest. Sometimes we feel so overcrowded because there is not enough nothing, but other times we are lonely because there is too much nothing. Sometimes there is the perfect balance! When we use nothing thoughtfully, we can create beauty. The main text is followed by a spread about the artistic use of negative space, from relatable examples like jack-o’-lanterns to how designers think. The reader is encouraged to try cutting paper and making use of taking away, of creating space, in the same manner as the illustrations in the book were made by cutting paper. The illustrations throughout are both simple and powerful, making use of positive and negative space while also conveying the feelings that coincide. Just like the concept of zero is hard for children to grasp at first, so is the concept of nothing. This book doesn’t just talk about nothing; it captures and shows it off expertly. Some children may not be ready to understand nothing, but this is great read for those who are. This book promotes deep thinking and reflection, mindfulness and meditation, and even artistic expression, and is well-suited to the art of elementary classroom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-352-5\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 4-8\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 32\u003cbr\u003e9 x 9\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}

All About Nothing


By: Elizabeth Rusch / Illustrated by: Elizabeth Goss

The most amazing things can happen when there is nothing.

An artful picture-book exploration of negative space and the beauty of nothingness. This mindful meditation encourages children to see the world differently.

Nothing is really something! What might be hidden in the space around things, and how is that space important? In art, this is known as negative space, but “nothing” can be thought of more broadly—as free time during the day or the space between people. When we allow ourselves a moment of nothingness, we make room for creativity and so much more.

Maximum quantity available reached.

Elizabeth Rusch, author

Elizabeth Rusch is the author of more than two dozen award-winning children’s books, including A Day with No Crayons, The Music of Life, Zee Grows a Tree, Volcano Rising, and Mario and the Hole in the Sky, winner of the AAAS/Subaru Prize for Excellence in Science Books, the Green Earth Book Award, the Cook Prize, and the Golden Kite Award.

Read more about Elizabeth.


Elizabeth Goss, illustrator

Elizabeth Goss is an illustrator, author, and papercutter. Her picture book My Way West: Real Kids Traveling the Oregon and California Trails won the Paterson Prize for Books for Young People. A proud member of the Guild of American Papercutters, Elizabeth teaches art workshops across the Pacific Northwest and loves welcoming students of all ages into the world of papercutting.

Read more about Elizabeth.

  • Coming soon!

The Horn Book

Rusch’s thought-provoking text begins: “Nothing is the space around and between everything.” The presence of nothing, cued by plain white areas in the cut-paper illustrations, appears first as physical space: the gap where a tooth once sat, the expanse between stars in the sky, the space for a missing puzzle piece. Important, too, is nothing as temporal space: the moment before a leap of faith or a bit of spare time in one’s day. Even in music, room for nothing fosters beauty: “For what is a song without some silence?” There can be, of course, too much or too little of nothing. On these spreads in particular, Goss’s use of color and space makes a strong emotional impact: a queasy-green child sandwiched between tightly packed adults in a crowd finds “too little” of nothing, while a blue-hued child sulks surrounded by “too much” of nothing amid a stark white double-page spread. Wherever nothing is found, there is space for something to unfurl. Goss’s intricate illustrations visually articulate the importance of nothing, or negative space, as discussed in the back matter. A striking call for young children and aspiring artists alike, the story sets out to prove that “nothing” matters, after all.

Children's Literature

What is nothing? What does the absence of everything mean? It is in the emptiness that surrounds everything that is, and it is the space between. Just like its name suggests, outer space sure has a lot of nothing. This space is what creates life. Nothing can help us read, notice, and see new things. It’s not just the absence of what we can see, though. It can be a feeling, such as anticipation or rest. Sometimes we feel so overcrowded because there is not enough nothing, but other times we are lonely because there is too much nothing. Sometimes there is the perfect balance! When we use nothing thoughtfully, we can create beauty. The main text is followed by a spread about the artistic use of negative space, from relatable examples like jack-o’-lanterns to how designers think. The reader is encouraged to try cutting paper and making use of taking away, of creating space, in the same manner as the illustrations in the book were made by cutting paper. The illustrations throughout are both simple and powerful, making use of positive and negative space while also conveying the feelings that coincide. Just like the concept of zero is hard for children to grasp at first, so is the concept of nothing. This book doesn’t just talk about nothing; it captures and shows it off expertly. Some children may not be ready to understand nothing, but this is great read for those who are. This book promotes deep thinking and reflection, mindfulness and meditation, and even artistic expression, and is well-suited to the art of elementary classroom.

Hardcover
ISBN: 978-1-62354-352-5

Ages: 4-8
Page count: 32
9 x 9