Award-winning author Jairo Buitrago's book, Drawing Outdoors, made the list of Kirkus Best Books of the Year in 2022. This beautifully illustrated picture book is a great example of how stories can be a source of creativity and joy and lead to curiosity and wonder about the world. As the story leaves much to the imagination, it invites young readers to make connections, ask questions, make inferences, and build comprehension skills in English Language Arts. The thought-provoking pictures and text clues lead students to discover the possibilities that arise when we open ourselves up to the power of imagination, even if we have very little. Students can take learning outdoors and view the world around them, and, through this creative lens, draw pictures of what they "see" in their minds, which might be something entirely different than what another person “sees.”

Images: Colour illustrations
Bibliography: No
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Source: Books BC - BC Books for Schools

JAIRO BUITRAGO is a children's book author who has collaborated with Rafael Yockteng on several picture books, including Jimmy the Greatest! (six starred reviews), Two White Rabbits (three starred reviews), Walk with Me (three starred reviews, Kirkus Prize shortlist), Lion and Mouse (two starred reviews) and most recently, Cave Paintings. They won the "A la Orilla del Viento" contest for the Spanish edition of Walk with Me, which was also named to IBBY's Honor List. Their books have also appeared on "Los mejores libros del año" (Venezuela's Banco del Libro), Kirkus Best Books, the Horn Book Fanfare and in the White Ravens Catalogue. Jairo has also won the Hispanoamericano Castillo prize for children's literature and the Antonio García Cubas Award. He lives in Mexico City.

Jairo Buitrago's profile page

Elisa Amado's profile page

Rafael Yockteng has illustrated many highly acclaimed children’s books, including Sopa de frijoles / Bean Soup by Jorge Argueta (USBBY Outstanding International Books) and Jimmy the Greatest! (six starred reviews), Two White Rabbits (three starred reviews), Walk with Me (three starred reviews, Kirkus Prize shortlist) and On the Other Side of the Garden (three starred reviews) by Jairo Buitrago. Together, Jairo Buitrago and Rafael Yockteng have won the “A la Orilla del Viento” contest, and their books have been included on IBBY’s Honor List, “Los mejores libros del año” (Venezuela’s Banco del Libro), Kirkus Best Books, the Horn Book Fanfare and in the White Ravens Catalogue. Rafael lives in Bogotá.

Rafael Yockteng's profile page

"A subtle reminder that education and recreation need not be mutually exclusive exercises and that big ideas happen when you think outside the box. VERDICT A must-have for STEAM classes and for dino lovers everywhere."
—School Library Journal STARRED Review

"A delightful, short read with humor that young elementary students will love"
—Youth Services Book Review STARRED Review

"This inspired story about the magic of art, nature, and educators is a breath of fresh air.”
—Booklist

“Full of wonder... Schoolhouse bliss.”
—Kirkus STARRED Review

"What is central to this story is the idea that no matter what school a child attends, no matter how many or few the supplies, one dedicated professional can make all the difference."
—Shelf Awareness

"Early childhood and elementary school teachers will reimagine instruction while reading this story. A perfect read-aloud…ignites children’s creativity….opens students' imaginations to genuine wonder about the widely-recognized dinosaurs of the prehistoric era. Teachers will enjoy using this story to engage their learners in an exciting journey of exploration and discovery."
—Children's Lit