I Don't Care

This book is a heavy weight! Award-winning writer Julie Fogliano’s forthcoming picture book has been illustrated by not one but two Caldecott Honourees and friends Molly Idle and Juana Martinez-Neal and the end-product is stunning.

Fans of ‘My Best Friend’ would instantly find that this begins in a similar vein of friendship. The first half focuses on things that good friends do not care about (“I really don’t care what you think of my boots…”) while in the second half the tone shifts to what they do care about (“…I care if you smile, I care if you’re sad…”).

Julie Fogliano’s words are rhyming and rhythmic, and I love how she continues her signature style of avoiding capitalization in poetry (what a great way to teach poetic license to kids; also reminds me of e.e. cummings). It is the first time ever in the history of Neal Porter Books that a picture book has been co-illustrated, with an illustrator working on one character each. To make matters challenging, Juana Martinez-Neal’s family had to relocate at the height of Covid, making collaboration more difficult.

A big thanks to @nealporterbooks for the ARC. I can’t wait to get hold of the hard copy in October!