• Age: 0 to 3
• Grade: p to 12

An imaginative board book introduction to shapes and creativity

When a gust of wind blows colorful scraps of paper onto a blank page, several animal shapes emerge from the pieces. But who do the scraps belong to? Where did all these pieces of paper come from? And what form will they take next?

The chicken is sure the papers belong to them, but so is the fish, and so is the bird, and the snail, and the frog. Using the same small scraps of paper over and over again to create new animals throughout, Édouard Manceau has created a timeless cumulative tale that will delight and enchant children as they try to figure out just who the pieces of paper belong to.

Newly available in board book format, this imaginative story is sure to delight the youngest of readers.

ÉDOUARD MANCEAU was born in Vendée, France, and began studying Fine Arts at an early age. He often works in paper collage, bringing his friendly characters to life with style and humor. He is the author and illustrator of Windblown.

Édouard Manceau's profile page

Sarah Quinn's profile page

• Colorado Libraries CLEL Bell Award (finalist)
• Long-listed, CLEL Bell Award (Colorado Libraries for Early Literacy) - Finalist, "Play" Category
• Long-listed, ALSC Notable Children's Books

"A book that at first glance might seem minimalist to the point of vacuity bears closer scrutiny when one appreciates the function the paper shapes can have in allowing a child to identify them in different orientations and even to practice counting."

Kirkus Reviews

"While this book at first seems as minimalist and innovative as Herve Tullet's Press Here, a more traditional story line soon emerges as several characters appear, providing a cumulative narration in which each claims ownership of the shapes."

Booklist

"Windblown is a book that screams, 'Turn me into a craft already!!!'…It reaches its full potential when the concept of the book is translated in real life. I hope that happens often."

100 Scope Notes

"An effective tale for young children, using deceptively, delightfully simple design work."

Booklist

"Manceau offers just enough possibilities to ignite youngsters' imaginations, then sends them off to try some creations of their own."

Shelf Awareness

"This book makes a useful jumping off point for a paper making activity, a weather activity on wind, or even a litter collection activity in the classroom!"

Books for Kids Blog

"The story will appeal to the imagination of the early-years set."

Canadian Review of Materials

"A surefire inspiration for imagination-fueled projects at school or at home."

Publishers Weekly - STARRED REVIEW

"It's truly AMAZING what you can make with shapes ... Edouard Manceau proves it with panache and wondrous imagination."

Sal's Fiction Addiction