At the Window by Hope Lim & illustrated by Qin Leng [Candlewick Press]

My thoughts:  At the Window is a beautifully illustrated encounter of a young girl that daily walks the dog in the neighborhood and passes a house at which the window is not curtained and is always occupied by a lady occupied with tasks at her desk or table. Eventually, a casual "hello" relationship develops until..... then the "story" begins to develop depth.

Written with easy flow text the "take aways" for me are....

• Daily responsibilities carried out with delight and faithfulness
• Attention to detail of surroundings
• Encouragement to encounter others with gentle friendliness
• Awareness of surroundings
• Grasp of another's view
• Understanding of vastness a different view can give one when you look at surroundings from another vantage point.

Of course, that isn't all "spelled out" in the story, but I do find these ideas in the theme of the story and the beautiful illustrations.

I think this an ideal book for all libraries and personal collections for children that are given the privilege of walking the dog.

About the book: Spare, layered text and soft, shimmering watercolor illustrations reveal how curiosity—and a change in perspective—can light up the world and forge surprising friendships.

Every day, a child walking a dog around the block passes a woman seated in her wide front window. What is she doing? What does she see? Days pass, and the two neighbors exchange smiles, nods, and waves. Soon they’re calling out “Hello!” But one day, the child finds the wide window empty and a For Sale sign on the lawn. When the opportunity to look out through, instead of up into, that now-lonely window arrives, the rewards ripple out in heartwarming ways. This wondrous and beautifully illustrated picture-book ode to intergenerational friendship invites readers to reflect on how a different frame of reference can utterly transform the familiar and lead to completely new delights.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Candlewick Press, to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.