Imagine a World

K-Gr 4—This is the fourth title in Gonsalves's series, and it lives up to its predecessors. The author/illustrator draws readers into the world of his imagination with a compelling invitation: "Imagine a world…." There is great detail in the exquisite paintings for children to explore, yet the style of the art enables them to interpret the deeper meaning for themselves. Each spread of verse and picture presents an entirely new adventure for viewers, and though the book is finite, it makes clear that the world of one's imagination is infinite. The influence of René Magritte's surrealism can be seen in the paintings, as one image forms another: curtains becoming sky, arithmetic equations becoming stars, books becoming steps, and the froth on waves becoming snow on a mountain. Gonsalves also incorporates Escher-like illusions: stepping stones morph into wall stones, and a red brick path morphs into red roofed houses. The text is just as powerful as the art, evoking the illustrations and extending readers' imaginations. This book is very versatile. It can be used to encourage creativity and critical thinking and can also be a contemplative read in which children get lost in all the worlds of possibility.