Take a Walk with the Wind

“[Xiong Liang] tends to work in the medium of traditional folk art, nursery rhymes, and Buddhist stories, putting a magical twist on them so that they feel new . . . In this story the wind can be a rushing, petulant, surging force . . . The ultimate feel of the book is very much in the vein of Alice in Wonderland and Studio Ghibli while remaining as inviting as something like The Snowy Day.” —Betsy Bird, School Library Journal‘s A Fuse 8 Blog

“On each spread, Xiong’s paintings introduce the reader t o animals that are swept up by the wind’s might. Bending bird legs, flapping wings, a pony’s wild mane, boulders and stones all quiver and fly in the wind’s wake. Xiong’s illustrations are full of movement and spontaneity, Emma Raddatz [of Elsewhere Editions] added, but are simultaneously precise and intimate . . . “He really captures both of these states, and evokes the feeling of being in a natural world that both quiets and overwhelms.” —Pooja Makhijani, Publishers Weekly

“Liang’s story gives the wind a voice of its own . . . urging the Treeling to wake up, keep up, and come along for the ride. Even the textures of the story speak of wind: soft washes of ink on rustling silk paper that ripples, ruffles, and wrinkles . . . This is a book that will leave kids wanting to take a walk with the wind, and maybe keep an eye out for the Treelings hiding nearby.” —Hongyu Jasmine, World Kid Lit

“Soft brushstrokes and ink wash illustrations follow a creature from Chinese folklore on a blustery adventure in this mythical tale. Inspired by a classical Chinese poem of the same name, the book follows a young Treeling (a childlike being that springs from undisturbed ancient forests) who is awoken and dragged on an adventure by the mischievous wind. The wind builds, disturbing the forest and its creatures until the Treeling puts its foot down, and the pair walk gently home, content with the day’s adventure.” —Danielle Ballantyne, Foreword Reviews

“Take a Walk With the Wind is a kind of apologetic journey, set off by a Treeling being coaxed out of bed when the wind steals his orange cap. He walks with the wind – and floats, tumbles, flies, and goes spelunking with it – and also spends the book saying sorry to animals whose peace has been disturbed . . . Liang pencils gorgeous nature drawings with watercolor impressions that are like the wind themselves. White cranes on overcast-eggshell and slate-gray ground under treebark bears in midnight caves; hunter-green fronds over placid, sea green waters; a command of the style-as-nature.” – Luke Steere, Youth Services Book Review, starred review

“Xiong takes inspiration from Guo Zhong Chan’s Memories of Xiang Zhou to spin this evocative, nature-centered story about a mythical miniature being . . . Active verbs describe the swirling chaos provoked by every encounter, while delicate paintings depict cranes getting twisted up, monkeys clinging to a tree, and more . . . Meditative depictions of the fanciful relationship cast an atmospheric spell.” — Publishers Weekly