ALL ABOUT NOTHING

All the positives about negative space.

“Nothing” is a complicated concept to explain—but Rusch attempts to simplify the matter (or lack thereof) through a series of musings. Nothing can be the space between you and other objects, the spaces between written words, the gap after you lose a tooth, or the rests between notes in a song. Personal space can be nothing—and you can have too much, too little, or just the right amount. Nothing is represented visually throughout using paper-white negative space, including on a spread about outer space being “mostly nothing.” Goss’ cut-paper illustrations, outlined with thick black lines, depict a variety of children with skin the varying colors of the pages enjoying nothingness in many ways. Though it’s attractive enough, as a whole the book feels thin, with little to entice kids to return for rereads. Backmatter offers more information “about nothing” and proposes mindfulness and art activities to help kids appreciate negative space, though written instructions could use more clarity—one activity suggests readers “fold a sheet of paper in half. Cut a half circle and a half banana from the folded side and another half circle from the edge above. When you unfold the paper, you’ll see a smiling face.” (This book was reviewed digitally.)

If lack of substance is the point, it’s right on the mark.