In the Half Room

Carson Ellis's "In the Half Room" is a visually stunning and conceptually rich picture book that transports readers to a world where everything is delightfully, mysteriously half. From a half moon shining on a half room to a half chair and a half cat, the book invites young readers to explore the concept of halves and wholes through a whimsical, dreamlike narrative. The exquisite ink and gouache illustrations are central to the experience, offering wry details and velvety textures that encourage imagination and contemplation. This book is perfect for sparking conversations about perception, creativity, and finding beauty in the unexpected, culminating in a gentle mystery at the door.

From the Caldecott Honor–winning creator of Home and Du Iz Tak? comes a striking tale of a wholly extraordinary room where everything is a half. The light of the half moon Shines down on the half room . . . The half room is full of half things. A half chair, a half cat, even half shoes—all just as nice as whole things. When half a knock comes on half a door, who in the world could it be? With inventive flair, Caldecott Honor winner Carson Ellis explores halves and wholes in an ingenious and thought-provoking picture book. Ink and gouache illustrations featuring wry detail and velvety textures conjure a dreamlike mood while leaving space for imagining. A celebration of the surreal and the serendipitous and the beauty of the two together, this brilliant picture book will have readers seeing halves with whole new eyes.