Starred Review This is best described by the editors themselves as an eight-year "labor of love." This chunky anthology includes letters and art from 121 writers and artists in the form of poems, personal narratives, cartoons, instructions, reflections, and more. Indeed, it breaks all sorts of literary boundaries: genre, form, audience. Contributions come from a dazzling array of people: journalists (Maria Bustillos), radio hosts (Krista Tippet), film directors (Shonda Rhimes), musicians (Yo-Yo Ma), and numerous writers who share their own experiences with reading. Some sought solace, others adventure. Some read avidly as children, others grew to love books as adults. All encourage young readers to linger with stories and be moved by the experiences they encounter. Each narrative is carefully paired with an illustration by an artist selected to "bring its message to life." These pairings are at once surprising and inevitable. Christian Robinson's collages depict young Jane Goodall reading in a tree, surrounded by wildlife; Mo Willems' whimsical rendering of a reader complements the posthumous entry of American psychologist Jerome Bruner. Narrative pages include short biographies of the authors, and the back matter provides information about the artists. This should live on the nightstand, be picked up regularly, and savored. A treasure trove for anyone who loves words and pictures.