A review of Touch the Sky
by
Stephanie V.W.
Lucianovic
Sometimes I read a book and it just makes me smile. Touch the Sky by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic is one of those books!
Vern loves the swings at the playground, he sits on the swing, lies stomach first on the swing, and spins and spins and spins, but he does not soar on a swing. Why not? Because he can't pump. The other kids tease him, but he just can't get his legs to do it. One day Gretchen comes by. She asks Vern if he wants to learn.
Vern doesn't actually know Gretchen. He says he only knows her because of her mom.
“Gretchen, stop licking your scab!”
“Gretchen, dig up your brother right now!”
“Gretchen – do NOT pet that cat with your cheese!”
(This is one of my favorite parts of the book. How many times have I known kids "because of their mom"?! And, sigh, these all sound like things I may have said at one time or another to my own children.)
Gretchen gives Vern instructions on how to lean back and how to kick out his legs - Vern tries, and he fails. So he tries again and again, but it just doesn't seem to be working for him. Gretchen is patient and encouraging, but then she has to go. Vern says, "Giving up felt easier than trying again" - how many times have we all felt that way? But he knows Gretchen would want him to keep trying. He does and he does it! Higher, higher, until he can touch the sky!
And then comes my actually favorite part of the book - a new kid comes to the swings and admires Vern's skill and Vern asks, "Do you want to learn how?” I love his new found confidence and his kindness.
The bright, colorful illustrations by Chris Park add to and help tell the story in all it's joy and frustration. This really feels like a book that gets kids.