This week’s Book of the Week is Harvard the Pillow Maker, a feel-good children’s story by artist and illustrator, Kersey Barrett-Tormey.
Harvard is an awkward and self-conscious guy who always has toilet paper stuck to his feet, drags his pet fish around on a leash, and struggles through any social situation.
Fed up with always feeling so uncomfortable, he decides to start making pillows, the pinnacle of comfort. Everyone in town catches on to just how great Harvard’s pillows are.
"Walking over egg shells to get to loved ones had never been easier."
And Harvard finds some confidence.
I’ll let you read the rest of the story on your own to see for yourself how it turns out, but I’ve read through it half a dozen times now, and I’m still getting misty-eyed at the end.
The tale of Harvard is incredibly sweet and delightfully strange. I would be charmed by this story from the words alone, but Kersey’s illustrations really are a treasure.
The drawings feel both peculiar and ordinary at once, much like Harvard himself. The color palate reminds me of a favorite, well-loved quilt.
There are clever little details in the seemingly simple images, like the hearts on Harvard’s underwear, into which he’s tucked his shirt.
Harvard the Pillow Maker is a perfect little celebration of our quirks and differences and a beautiful way to share that sentiment with anyone.
Congratulations to Kersey for completing this gem! We’ll be looking to see what she dreams up next.
4 Comments
Touching, thought stimulating, creative, embracing, empowering, pleasant to the eye, engaging and wisdom to boot. Love it, needless to say. Thank you for this contribution to literature.
OMG! I want to own that book! Not only does that book work for children, it works for people in recovery. Seriously! This book is much deeper than it looks! Great images, sweet, simple, but a profound message for young and old alike! Thank you dear one.
Hey Christine,
I think you’re right. It can speak to a lot of people.
Thank you for commenting!
Kent
Laughed out loud. Had to share.