Hello! Hello!

A young girl named Lydia finds herself surrounded by family members who are all absorbed in their electronic devices. She attempts to engage with her parents and brother but receives minimal response as they focus on screens. Lydia ventures outside into nature, where she discovers a world of plants, animals, and outdoor wonders. Her outdoor exploration stands in stark contrast to the technology-filled indoor environment she left behind. The minimal text and expressive illustrations tell a story about human connection in a digital age. The book creates a parallel between the richness of direct human interaction and the limitations of screen-based communication.

Readers appreciate the book's message about putting down digital devices to connect with nature and family. Parents note it helps start conversations with children about screen time and relationships. The minimal text and expressive illustrations resonate with both adults and young readers. Readers liked: - Simple yet impactful storytelling - Detailed black and white drawings with selective color use - Relatable modern family scenario - Works well for read-aloud sessions Common criticisms: - Some found the story too basic - A few felt the message was heavy-handed - Several mentioned their children didn't stay engaged Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,024 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (31 ratings) "A perfect conversation starter about our relationship with technology," wrote one parent on Goodreads. Another Amazon reviewer noted: "The illustrations tell most of the story, making it accessible to pre-readers."

The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt The letters written by crayons to their owner explore themes of communication and connection through technology-free interactions.

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry A father and daughter discover the power of direct connection as they work together to style her hair for a special occasion.

Blackout by John Rocco When electronics fail during a blackout, a family rediscovers face-to-face interactions and outdoor activities.

Leave Me Alone by Vera Brosgol A grandmother's quest for solitude leads to understanding the value of meaningful connections with family.

The Curious Garden by Peter Brown A boy's dedication to nurturing a garden brings people away from their indoor lives to connect with nature and each other.

🌟 Matthew Cordell both wrote and illustrated Hello! Hello!, drawing from his own observations of how technology affects family connections and interactions 📱 The book was inspired by Cordell noticing people in public spaces completely absorbed in their devices instead of engaging with the world around them 🌿 The artistic style shifts dramatically in the book - from black and white when depicting technology use to vibrant full-color illustrations when showing nature and human connection 🏆 The book received the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show Selection award in 2012 🌳 Through purposeful design, the book's illustrations expand from small, confined spaces to sweeping two-page spreads as the main character disconnects from devices and discovers the natural world