As the World Goes By

PreS-Gr 2–From his window, Buttons the dog and his rubber ducky watch the world rush past. When he spots a delicate blue butterfly, he longs to share its beauty. As he follows the butterfly through a bustling café and a crowded street, only a few small creatures take notice. Frustrated, Buttons finally calls out for the world to stop and appreciate this tiny wonder. Lambert’s vibrant watercolor ­illustrations bring the dog’s journey to life, with playful sound words capturing the city’s noisy energy. VERDICT A gentle, thoughtful story that encourages children to slow down and appreciate the small moments of beauty in everyday life.—School Library Journal

A dog named Buttons notices a blue butterfly passing by the window and sets out to follow it. Disappointingly to Buttons, busy humans are engaged in their own "bustle" and "chitter-chatter" and do not share the small dog’s excitement. As Buttons follows the blue butterfly, several animal friends (a toy poodle, a bird, and a cat) join in the admiration-fueled journey. At an art gallery, by a fountain, and through the traffic of the street, people continue to ignore the entrancing butterfly. At last, Buttons cries out "STOP!" over the beeps and honks of the zooming traffic. And for a moment, everyone does. Lambert’s luminous illustrations capture the amazing beauty of the butterfly, as well as the urban setting full of houses. Although Buttons and friends are depicted, the illustrations also show the animals’ point of view by focusing on the busy humans from the ground up, sometimes showing only their feet and legs. A fun reminder to be mindful of small beauties in our lives.—Booklist Online