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In a Jar
Llewellyn, a little rabbit, is a collector. He gathers things in jars--ordinary things like buttercups, feathers, and heart-shaped stones. Then he meets another rabbit, Evelyn, and together they begin to collect extraordinary things--like rainbows, the sound of the ocean, and the wind just before snow falls. And, best of all, when they hold the jars and peer inside, they remember all the wonderful things they've seen and done. But one day, Evelyn has sad news: Her family is moving away. How can the two friends continue their magical collection--and their special friendship--from afar?
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 21, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 446 reviews
January 15, 2020
Lovely story with gorgeous artwork (the sunset spread and the meteor shower are just amazing) about friends and beautiful moments we experience together. When the main character's friend moves to a new city, he is feeling sad and empty. Luckily, he discovers they can send each other packets and parcels and share new things they see and learn. It is possible to make new friends without forgetting the old ones. Beautiful, heart-warming message.
Thank you to Edelweiss and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
Thank you to Edelweiss and G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.
September 26, 2019
This is one of the most beautiful and inspiring picture books I’ve read.
One huge problem with it though is that it is quite close in theme and content to a previously published picture book called Juna’s Jar by Jane Bahk and Felicia Hoshino.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Child collects things in a jar. Child’s friend helps. Friend moves away. Child longs for friend. Child meets a new friend to collect things in jars.
One huge problem with it though is that it is quite close in theme and content to a previously published picture book called Juna’s Jar by Jane Bahk and Felicia Hoshino.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Child collects things in a jar. Child’s friend helps. Friend moves away. Child longs for friend. Child meets a new friend to collect things in jars.
March 5, 2020
This sweet story sparked my imagination. I loved it. It was a wonderful little beginning bit of magical realism. Llewellyn loves collecting things in jars. He fills a whole wall in a large room with memories he makes daily. He can capture a sunset in the water or the shooting stars at night. They are beautiful memories. He makes a friend, Evelyn and together they do this collecting. She moves away and they can share their memories back and forth.
It’s a beautiful story with lovely artwork. This will help grow your heart. It’s a lovely thing.
The nephew thought this was sort of a cool story. He enjoyed seeing all the things he collected like leaves and shells and all of it. He likes to collect quirky toys like his new thing is he wants a Michael Jackson doll to play with his sister. He is head over heels into MJ. He is learning his dancing moves and it’s amazing. He wants to be Michael for Halloween. Anyway. He gave this story 3 stars. He said, not bad.
It’s a beautiful story with lovely artwork. This will help grow your heart. It’s a lovely thing.
The nephew thought this was sort of a cool story. He enjoyed seeing all the things he collected like leaves and shells and all of it. He likes to collect quirky toys like his new thing is he wants a Michael Jackson doll to play with his sister. He is head over heels into MJ. He is learning his dancing moves and it’s amazing. He wants to be Michael for Halloween. Anyway. He gave this story 3 stars. He said, not bad.
February 7, 2020
This is a somewhat-abstract picture book about a little rabbit. His name is Llewellyn (there aren't nearly enough picture book characters named Llewellyn!) and he likes to collect things. He collects simple things, but those objects evoke complex memories. One day, while he's out collecting, he meets another little bunny named Evelyn. To remind her of a beautiful sunset, he gives her a jar full of light. From then on, they're best friends. But, one day, Evelyn has to move away. Llewellyn feels like an empty jar. He decides to send her a special gift, and the two bunnies realize that their friendship is still alive; it's just different.
The concept here is interesting. I'm not sure if all readers will understand it (I'd be worried about those with more literal thinking), but it is explained quite well. Llewellyn isn't actually putting experiences into his jars; he's putting in objects that remind him of those experiences. But the illustrations could cause some confusion if they're taken too literally.
That said, the pictures are lovely. The bunnies are illustrated in an almost cartoon style, but some of the backgrounds they're placed against come from a variety of media such as collage, watercolour, and drawing.
Overall, this is a sweet little book about friendship and celebrating the things that hold friendships together.
Quotable moment:
The concept here is interesting. I'm not sure if all readers will understand it (I'd be worried about those with more literal thinking), but it is explained quite well. Llewellyn isn't actually putting experiences into his jars; he's putting in objects that remind him of those experiences. But the illustrations could cause some confusion if they're taken too literally.
That said, the pictures are lovely. The bunnies are illustrated in an almost cartoon style, but some of the backgrounds they're placed against come from a variety of media such as collage, watercolour, and drawing.
Overall, this is a sweet little book about friendship and celebrating the things that hold friendships together.
Quotable moment:
April 18, 2021
New favorite picture book? Absolutely.
Precious beyond all reason? You bet your ass.
Everything from the pictures to the story to the fact that the first rabbit is named Llewellyn comes together seamlessly to create a story that is fun and heartwarming and beautiful in all the best ways.
A friend told me about this book a year ago, and I finally decided to treat myself to a copy. She was so right, I should get on her recommends faster!
Precious beyond all reason? You bet your ass.
Everything from the pictures to the story to the fact that the first rabbit is named Llewellyn comes together seamlessly to create a story that is fun and heartwarming and beautiful in all the best ways.
A friend told me about this book a year ago, and I finally decided to treat myself to a copy. She was so right, I should get on her recommends faster!
February 10, 2020
This was a very lovely little story about friendship and memory that made a perfect bed time read for our nightly story time in the "big bed" ritual.
Llewellyn, a little rabbit with fabulously absurd long ears, likes to collect things in jars. Mostly small things like stones and feathers. Then he meets Evelyn, also a rabbit, and together they begin to collect extraordinary things, like rainbows and the sound of the ocean. They fill Llewellyn's walls with these things and the reader is treated to brilliant jar shaped illustrations of snowy landscapes, bright summer days, a small quiet moments of friendship.
Then Evelyn must move away with her family and Llewellyn is unsure how they will still be able to share all the things they've collected. Eventually he figures out how to keep sharing all his experiences and new memories with Evelyn and connect with new friends now that she is farther away.
This is one of those lovely, meditative kinds of reads where you spend almost more time pointing out all the little details in the bright, beautiful illustrations than you do reading. Its a book to take your time with, which is a wonderful message to give to young children. Its also a testament to the importance of sharing experiences and memories with others.
The illustrations are top drawer, very bright and poppy with sort of a primitive feel to them. There's a dreamy quality to things, the way a memory often appears in the mind, sort of hazy and unfinished at the edges but still vibrant. I adore the way each individual memory or special item is captured inside its jar. The jars themselves are often drawn to match the shape of whatever they're holding. Sometimes they take up the whole page. Its charming and a little surreal but always delightful. As is this entire, very worth your time book.
Llewellyn, a little rabbit with fabulously absurd long ears, likes to collect things in jars. Mostly small things like stones and feathers. Then he meets Evelyn, also a rabbit, and together they begin to collect extraordinary things, like rainbows and the sound of the ocean. They fill Llewellyn's walls with these things and the reader is treated to brilliant jar shaped illustrations of snowy landscapes, bright summer days, a small quiet moments of friendship.
Then Evelyn must move away with her family and Llewellyn is unsure how they will still be able to share all the things they've collected. Eventually he figures out how to keep sharing all his experiences and new memories with Evelyn and connect with new friends now that she is farther away.
This is one of those lovely, meditative kinds of reads where you spend almost more time pointing out all the little details in the bright, beautiful illustrations than you do reading. Its a book to take your time with, which is a wonderful message to give to young children. Its also a testament to the importance of sharing experiences and memories with others.
The illustrations are top drawer, very bright and poppy with sort of a primitive feel to them. There's a dreamy quality to things, the way a memory often appears in the mind, sort of hazy and unfinished at the edges but still vibrant. I adore the way each individual memory or special item is captured inside its jar. The jars themselves are often drawn to match the shape of whatever they're holding. Sometimes they take up the whole page. Its charming and a little surreal but always delightful. As is this entire, very worth your time book.
January 19, 2020
Is there anyone who has not thought of bottling a favorite moment, a favorite day, a beautiful sight? This gorgeous picture book does just that with two little rabbit characters. I can't wait to read this aloud to kids and talk about what they would bottle to share!
January 29, 2020
I am in love with this book. There have been many collecting "things, thoughts, etc." in jar books before. But Deborah Marcero makes this story unique and very special. The text and illustrations will give you the warm fuzzies. 100%.
June 13, 2020
3.5 stars, magical story about Llewellyn and Evelyn who collect the sights and sounds of nature in jars.
May 8, 2024
A sweet story about enjoying the world around you and friendship. That experiences are better shared with someone else. A special way to collect things and remember them in our hearts and mind. Bunny has a special jar for everything. If only we could collect stars in a jar. That would be amazing.
February 26, 2020
This story about friendship was adorable with gorgeous images. I loved it.
July 27, 2019
In a Jar is gorgeous and sweet; what starts off as one little bunny with collections in jars blooms into a beautiful friendship when he makes a friend. Together, they collect their memories in jars, things you wouldn't think you could capture. Even when his friend moves, they will always cherish these moments together. Vivid and heartwarming.
January 24, 2020
This book is a copy of Jane Bahk's book, "Juna's Jar." The work is stolen. If I could give it zero stars, I would.
May 6, 2021
So flipping wholesome and fanciful that it made me tear up
December 8, 2021
Simply Wonderful. The illustrations in this book are absolutely gorgeous - The colours and the different formats keep the book fun and exciting throughout - Several elements of the picturebook code can also be applied and discussed throughout (such as the contrast in colours at particular points i.e going from a very colourful page, to a very dull page.)
This is a story of friendship and memories - Collecting things they find beautiful in jars. However when Evelyn moves away... they wonder how they can keep in touch.
I believe this book could be used to spark many conversations as well as many cross - curricular links, particularly to art.
A lot of imagination was sparked with this book!
This is a story of friendship and memories - Collecting things they find beautiful in jars. However when Evelyn moves away... they wonder how they can keep in touch.
I believe this book could be used to spark many conversations as well as many cross - curricular links, particularly to art.
A lot of imagination was sparked with this book!
January 31, 2020
In a Jar is a must. It is just beautiful through and through.
Llewellyn places objects in jars from places and moments he’s been. Later, when he opens them, he is transported…or rather, it is transported to him. The leaves falling in the white woods are suddenly falling about him as he sits in his room upon his bed.
Marcero moves from capturing objects into jars to moments into jar.
The “tart charry syrup” tinted waters at sunset are placed in jars, and Llewellyn gifts one to Evelyn whom he meets here. “And to her surprise, it glowed through the night with the memory of that sunset.”
If a memory can travel/stay with you across time, why not distance? It’s not a thought the two friends will even contemplate as they spend season capturing memories in jars. Marcero will frame scenes in jars, wordless occasions. The frames artfully arranged. She’ll sequence the meaning behind jars, the moments fairly simple, but beautifully rendered, colors deep, textured. You begin to wonder at the story behind the jars in the collection on Llewellyn’s walls.
Their collection is marvelous. The different shaped jars. The imagination/conversation it inspires.
Then Evelyn must move away. The emptiness, colorless expanse of that page following Evelyn’s departure. The line/shape in the jar echoing the ones in her speech bubble (tears/sadness) and on Llewellyn’s back as they say goodbye.
But the world is full of wonder the next pages seem to say. And it is the thought of Evelyn that moves Llewellyn from the blank black walls of his room, from the window looking out on that incredible night sky to collecting a meteor shower in a jar.
Marcero renders a new sequence of four panels, one that carries a gift from one friend to another. Here they’ll begin a new tradition of collecting and sharing jars. I love what Evelyn chooses to collect, but even lovelier is how they’re rendered on the facing page. Marcero imagination on the page is such a delight, the “bright night lights” so perfectly distributed, little squares/windows, the crowds trailing…the sounds in words, lines, shapes, bubbles, notations, their collective color red.
We learn that with finding Evelyn and then her leaving did not expand then contract Llewelyn’s world. His world only expands once again, and then again. They begin to correspond. And as he enters the autumn woods to collect leaves for Evelyn, he meets Max “Luckily, Llewellyn had brought an extra jar.”
In a Jar will be an obvious choice for a Moving book, but it’s much, much more. The objects in the jar would be mere objects if not for the memory they recall. The collection was lovely but ordinary before Llewelyn found Evelyn. Their relationship made what went into the jar all the more marvelous, extraordinary. In a Jar is very much a friendship book in a present tense; a book about memories that is about the making of them. It’s an active book, creating the memories, collecting the moments, sharing, gifting them--not a passive visitation of jars long made. It inspires not only the imagination of what would I collect, but with whom might I collect, or share, or gift?
Llewelyn seeks the beauty around him, as does Evelyn. Their relationship generates even more creative spark, each a companion in their pursuits to notice and take pleasure in “the wind just before snow falls,” or “shadows of summer.”
I’m curious what image/object would be collected in a jar had Llewelyn and Evelyn read Marcero’s In a Jar, because surely it is a pleasure, it is certainly memorable, something worth treasuring and revisiting.
Llewellyn places objects in jars from places and moments he’s been. Later, when he opens them, he is transported…or rather, it is transported to him. The leaves falling in the white woods are suddenly falling about him as he sits in his room upon his bed.
Marcero moves from capturing objects into jars to moments into jar.
The “tart charry syrup” tinted waters at sunset are placed in jars, and Llewellyn gifts one to Evelyn whom he meets here. “And to her surprise, it glowed through the night with the memory of that sunset.”
If a memory can travel/stay with you across time, why not distance? It’s not a thought the two friends will even contemplate as they spend season capturing memories in jars. Marcero will frame scenes in jars, wordless occasions. The frames artfully arranged. She’ll sequence the meaning behind jars, the moments fairly simple, but beautifully rendered, colors deep, textured. You begin to wonder at the story behind the jars in the collection on Llewellyn’s walls.
Their collection is marvelous. The different shaped jars. The imagination/conversation it inspires.
Then Evelyn must move away. The emptiness, colorless expanse of that page following Evelyn’s departure. The line/shape in the jar echoing the ones in her speech bubble (tears/sadness) and on Llewellyn’s back as they say goodbye.
But the world is full of wonder the next pages seem to say. And it is the thought of Evelyn that moves Llewellyn from the blank black walls of his room, from the window looking out on that incredible night sky to collecting a meteor shower in a jar.
Marcero renders a new sequence of four panels, one that carries a gift from one friend to another. Here they’ll begin a new tradition of collecting and sharing jars. I love what Evelyn chooses to collect, but even lovelier is how they’re rendered on the facing page. Marcero imagination on the page is such a delight, the “bright night lights” so perfectly distributed, little squares/windows, the crowds trailing…the sounds in words, lines, shapes, bubbles, notations, their collective color red.
We learn that with finding Evelyn and then her leaving did not expand then contract Llewelyn’s world. His world only expands once again, and then again. They begin to correspond. And as he enters the autumn woods to collect leaves for Evelyn, he meets Max “Luckily, Llewellyn had brought an extra jar.”
In a Jar will be an obvious choice for a Moving book, but it’s much, much more. The objects in the jar would be mere objects if not for the memory they recall. The collection was lovely but ordinary before Llewelyn found Evelyn. Their relationship made what went into the jar all the more marvelous, extraordinary. In a Jar is very much a friendship book in a present tense; a book about memories that is about the making of them. It’s an active book, creating the memories, collecting the moments, sharing, gifting them--not a passive visitation of jars long made. It inspires not only the imagination of what would I collect, but with whom might I collect, or share, or gift?
Llewelyn seeks the beauty around him, as does Evelyn. Their relationship generates even more creative spark, each a companion in their pursuits to notice and take pleasure in “the wind just before snow falls,” or “shadows of summer.”
I’m curious what image/object would be collected in a jar had Llewelyn and Evelyn read Marcero’s In a Jar, because surely it is a pleasure, it is certainly memorable, something worth treasuring and revisiting.
Read
January 24, 2020The plot of this story sounds nearly identical to Juna's Jar.
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/sho...
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/sho...
February 11, 2020
Two friends use jars to collect the wonders of the world. One moves away and they learn to connect by sending the miracles through the mail and making new friends.
February 9, 2020
Darling tale of how to keep memories safe!
January 28, 2020
Llewellyn was a rabbit who loved to collect things in jars. He collected small things from his days like bright yellow leaves in the autumn which would remind him of what he had done and seen. One night when the sunset turned the sky “the color of tart cherry syrup,” Llewellyn went down to the shore with a lot of jars. He gathered the light of the night into his jars and gave one to a girl who came by. Evelyn was amazed to find that the in the jar glowed all night long the color of sunsets. Soon the two of them were gathering all sorts of things in jars like rainbows, the sound of the ocean, and even entire seasons. Their collection got very large, until one day Evelyn’s family moved away. For some time, Llewellyn felt like an empty jar but then he had an idea. He went out one night and collected a meteor shower in a jar and sent it to Evelyn. In turn, she collected the sounds and lights of the big city she now lived in and sent it to Llewellyn. Llewellyn set out on an autumn day to gather a jar for Evelyn and that’s when he met Max, and Llewellyn happened to have a jar for him too.
Marcero sets the tone for this book right from the first page. You simply know that something amazing and magical is about to happen. She does this with simple words that children will easily follow and then also throws in lines like the sky the color of “tart cherry syrup” and “the wind just before snow falls.” Each of these lines creates a beautiful image and moment for the reader, indicating that something special is happening. This continues through the book, reminding readers that it is these moments that make life magical, whether you can bottle them or not.
The art here is tremendously gorgeous. Marcero creates pages of meteor showers, sunsets filled with birds soaring, and entire seasons on two pages that are filled with moments of wonder and amazement, and yet that are also moments we could all have and share. There’s a beautiful tension between the beauty on the page and also the normalcy of it all.
A picture book that shows everyone that these magical moments are there for us all to collect and share. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Marcero sets the tone for this book right from the first page. You simply know that something amazing and magical is about to happen. She does this with simple words that children will easily follow and then also throws in lines like the sky the color of “tart cherry syrup” and “the wind just before snow falls.” Each of these lines creates a beautiful image and moment for the reader, indicating that something special is happening. This continues through the book, reminding readers that it is these moments that make life magical, whether you can bottle them or not.
The art here is tremendously gorgeous. Marcero creates pages of meteor showers, sunsets filled with birds soaring, and entire seasons on two pages that are filled with moments of wonder and amazement, and yet that are also moments we could all have and share. There’s a beautiful tension between the beauty on the page and also the normalcy of it all.
A picture book that shows everyone that these magical moments are there for us all to collect and share. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
January 25, 2020
As a collector of tiny things in jars this book resonated with me on a deep level! So cute! 😭😍
January 21, 2020
The art style is right up my alley!
Very touching story <3
Very touching story <3
January 28, 2020
Isn't this called White-washing? Cultural appropriation?
This has the EXACT same plot as the children’s book JUNA'S JAR, just replaced the child of color with a white rabbit. This isn’t ok no matter how pretty you think the pictures are. How would you explain it to a kid?
- Child collects special things in jars with her friend.
- Friend moves away.
- Child longs for her friend and copes with magic in her jar.
- Child finds a new friend to collect things with.
If this sounds appealing, read the original, Juna’s Jar - not this white washed knock off.
April 13, 2024
Whoa. This book is extraordinarily beautiful. I'm not sure my preschooler appreciated the nuances of this tale about friendship, memories, and discovery but I loved it. My kid gave it three three stars and I gave it five, so we'll settle for a four start review. But, don't sleep on this one, it's lovely.
August 31, 2020
Ooh. I kind of love it. The art teacher and I were just talking today about how we would like to try and combine lessons for virtual learning (if that's the way our district goes). This could serve that purpose. Mock Caldecott read and opportunity to draw your own jar all in one.
June 5, 2020
Read for the Mock Caldecott voting next January. Adorable book about friendship. Llewellyn, a young rabbit, likes to collect things and keep them in jars. One day as he is out collecting he meets Evelyn and introduces her to collecting things for jars. Together they collect many, many things to store in their jars and decorate their walls. Then Evelyn has to move away. They are both sad but know that they have no choice. Llewellyn decides to collect something super special and send it to Evelyn and she returns the favor. Now they each have new memories in addition to the shared memories they have from all their collecting. Such a sweet story. The illustrations are just a bit on the quirky side with lovely colors...charming.
March 30, 2021
Lumoavasti kuvitettu kuvakirja, joka kertoo muistojen tärkeydestä. Tartuin tähän kirjaan kuitenkin, kun kollega kertoi, että tämä voi lukea myös hieman aikuisemmalla twistillä true crime -teemaisesti ja kieltämättä... kieltämättä joo. :D
February 22, 2021
Upea kuvakirja hetkessä elämisen taidosta ja muistelemisen tärkeydestä! Kirjassa on myös todella kaunis kuvitus.
July 2, 2021
The artwork is beautiful in this one.
January 10, 2023
note to self to buy and gift to peanut/landon!!!!!!!! so freaking sweet and imaginative!!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 446 reviews