Horn Book (Tue Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

Grumpy artist Rudeday feels he'll never be famous as he toils away in his fourth-floor apartment. Although he wants to bring people joy, Rudeday has none of it himself. One day, a tapping noise at his window interrupts his work; looking out, he sees a paper clip attached to a string that "seemed to be saying...PLAY WITH ME!" Rudeday quickly sketches a smiling little blue fish and attaches it to the paper clip. The mystery neighbor reels it upstairs, and thus begins a daily window-fishing game, which makes Rudeday happier, more relaxed, and better rested. Then one day comes a knock at the door: it's young Amir (with his family) from upstairs, who reveals himself to be the mystery fisherman. Not only that: "The whole city was window fishing!" Rudeday's "art brought people joy." Gutierrez's (who resembles the book's protagonist) lively and innovative mixed-media paintings explode with color. Unconventional perspectives, occasional photorealistic images, and sketches of the characters in unexpected places will keep readers engaged. Three spreads are printed vertically, emphasizing the distance the fishing game covers. A reel treat of a story about turning strangers into friends in delightful, innovative ways.

Kirkus Reviews

A whimsical ode to finding friendship in unexpected places.Rudeday, an artist, spends his days toiling for a paycheck but fears that his work "will never bring people joy." Hearing a "TAP! TAP! TAP" at his window, Rudeday attempts to ignore it. However, he is unable to resist the invitation to play that has arrived in the form of an improvised fishing line made from string and a paper clip descending from the apartment above his studio. He draws a charming picture of a fish, which he sends back up to the mysterious fisher. Rudeday and his neighbor begin their fishing game in earnest, and the artist taps into his creativity to create a veritable aquarium of colorful fish to send up on the line. As mysteriously as it began, the window fishing game ends, and Rudeday is plunged back into his humdrum daily routine. Weeks later, a young boy named Amir stops by Rudeday's apartment to thank him for cheering him up with the fish drawings while he was sick. Rudeday thanks Amir for reminding him that art can be fun. Gutierrez's acrylic illustrations invoke movement and playfulness; with swirling linework and bright colors, they have a mural-like feeling. Rudeday reads as Latine; Amir has brown skin and an Afro hairstyle. (This book was reviewed digitally.)A sweet story of connection and rekindling artistic passion. (Picture book. 5-8)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

In this picture book by married creators Dyson and Caldecott Honoree Gutierrez, commercial artist Rudeday, portrayed with brown skin, works hard at his drawing table on the fourth floor of a city building, but he has little to show for it. “No one will ever know my name. My art will never bring people joy,” he grumbles. One day, there’s a tap on the window: it’s a paper clip tied to the end of a string, which “seemed to be saying... PLAY WITH ME!” Delighted, Rudeday draws an outsize cartoon fish with a cheerful grin and sends it up on the line. The next day, the same thing happens again—then again. Finding himself with new energy, Rudeday stops minding the noisy neighbors and dances to music “that filled him with pride to be alive.” Then the daily visits stop. Soon, though, a young neighbor, also portrayed with brown skin, arrives—and Rudeday’s dream becomes reality. Dyson fills her debut with emotionally tinged observations, while spreads by Gutierrez wed super-real portraiture to sizzling, swirling swoops of color in this kinetic celebration of kindred spirits and the reenergizing power of creativity. Ages 4–8. Agent (for author and illustrator): Edward Necarsulmer IV, Dunow, Carlson & Lerner. (Aug.)