This feels like a children's book written and illustrated by a minimalist. And so (as the exact opposite, a collector) I read it three times and still don't really 'get it'.
The pictures are subdued and lack colour (even though the setting is spring). So it lacks stimulus for younger children to be engaged. The words are nice and simple so it could possibly be used as an introductory reader story but it's very short so a child could easily memorize the book before they knew how to actually 'read' it. My five year old niece is doing this right now. She will 'read' me a book but only one of the five she has memorized. While a great showing of her talent in memorization, we keep having to remind her that it's not the same as reading.

I am assuming the use of a cat and dog is as our primary characters is to show that people/animals can be friends with the most unlikely partner. In this case, a cat and a dog that are usually at odds with one another become 'unlikely' friends by the end. And that the use of sushi is an attempt to add a multicultural aspect to the story. Unfortunately for me even after reading it three times, I can honestly say that I was bored, never mind how the average child is likely to feel.
Now, that said, maybe a child that feels overwhelmed a lot would love the simplicity of this story. There may be an audience for it; I just don't think it's for the broad audience of most children.

The other thing that struck me is how odd it is to offer food that has had fluff (pollen) land on it to someone. Perhaps I have a bit of a germ phobia but it just felt weird to offer someone food that has had things landed on it flying around in the air. I get that the fluff is being used as the 'connection' between the dog and cat to actual chat with one another; but I just can't get over how odd it is to me.

Overall, this isn't a bad story. The morale is good and the overall sense of the story is fine. I just can't imagine reading or gifting it to any of the small children in my life.

This is such an exquisite and delicate picture book! In spare but lovely language and finely wrought, pastel-coloured illustrations, artist and author Cheon Yooju presents the story of Cat who prepares to eat her lunch on a park bench on an early spring day when the trees are in blossom. Dog, too, comes to the park to read on this “sun twinkling”, “breeze blowing” day. Because of the wind, a petal flutters back and forth between the two seated on the bench, encouraging them to acknowledge each other. Friendship, like the world around Cat and Dog, is suddenly in blossom, too.

Because of the delicacy of the art, this is a picture book that is best shared not in a group setting but between two people: two children (in a buddy read), a parent and a child, or even between two grown-ups. Adults who share the book with kids could have some interesting discussions about how friendships can start in surprising ways.

Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group—Lincoln Children’s Books for providing me with a free digital copy of the book for reviewing.

I have to confess up front that I had no idea if this author's first name was Cheon or Yooju. Net Galley has her name as "Cheon Yooju", but the book cover has it as "Yooju Cheon," and the book cover is in English, so did this mean that her last name was Cheon? Fortunately, my local library, which has this book, came to my rescue because it has her name listed as by "Yooju, Cheon" - so there you have it! Last name is Yooju! How confused we are in the west about Eastern practices and culture, huh?!

Anyway, I was charmed by Cheon Yooju's book which features simple, but beautifully elegant illustrations, sparse, but meaning-laden text, and drawings (by Cheon Yooju) which effectively conveyed as many words as the text did. Dog meets cat and rather than fight with the cat ending up a tree, they both sit on a bench under the tree and enjoy the breeze and the blossoms falling, and then...something clicks! I loved it and I commend Cheon Yooju's work as a worthy read and a worthy art work. And now I hold the record for most uses of Cheon Yooju's name in a review! Yeay me! (And yeay Cheon Yooju!)

A picture book with all the concision of a haiku, this simple tale shows the birth of friendship as Cat and Dog meet one spring day. Some will call it out as too slight for their tastes, but I liked this gentle little piece of art. Lovely illustrations complement the simplicity of the text and story, too. A strong four stars.

This little book is a gem! It was so nice to read about spring and the little sweet things in life. I'm sure it will make a lot of people happy and aware of the beauty of spring.
The pictures are as perfect as the spring itself. Would love to read tons of picture books from this author. Lovely!

‘In blossom’ is a gentle and dreamy book with gorgeous minimalist pictures. It has this uncanny ability to take you from the whirlwind of emotions you have been experiencing and transport you into a spring garden on a ’breeze-blowing’, ‘sun-twinkling day’.
There are two characters in the book. Cat has just found a perfect spot for her picnic. She moves her lunch on the bench to make space for Dog who is there to read his book. A falling petal lands on, first, Cat’s nose, then, Dog’s one. Cat offers her lunch, which is gratefully accepted by Dog. This might be the beginning of a beautiful friendship or it might be just one of those lovely shared experiences that stay in our memory even if we do not see the person again.
You need to read books like these to your child if you want to develop their range of emotions. Sometimes you need something pacey with bright vibrant colours. Other times you need something sweet, soft, and tender if you want them to learn to appreciate the beauty of a spring day.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lincoln Children’s Books for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

A sweet little Children's book about spring and new friendships. Love the illustrations and the simplicity of the story. Yes, cats and dogs can be friends. I especially loved that the cat was eating sushi and offered to share. I think this book would be great to help spark a child's imagination. I know it did mine.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

'In Blossom' by Cheon Yooju is a simple picture book, but it's gentle hush sets the tone for my favorite kind of picture books.

Cat and dog meet on a bench. Cat is eating her lunch of sushi. Dog is engrossed in reading his book. A blossom falls between them, and before long, it looks like these two strangers will become friends.

The illustrations are really nice. The color is used sparsely and to great effect. The story is quiet and beautiful in tone. I really liked this picture book for young readers.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Quarto Publishing-Lincoln Children's Books, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

In Blossom is a sweet take of blooming friendship amongst the spring trees. Dog and Cat both have plans but they make room for one another on this Sun twinkling and breeze blowing kind of day. Quiet but impact illustrations help tell this gentle story.

In Blossom by Cheon Yooju published by Lincoln Children's books is a wonderful, tender story about the power of friendship, love, and...spring.
It's a day like another one when a female cat decides to go to the park bringing with her something to eat. You know: cats are famous for eating and sleeping. These ones are their most famous characteristics. Sun was shining, the day was tender.
The cat sat all alone lost on her thoughts on that bench, eating some bites of the food she brought from home when at a certain point, with great calm, a very interesting male dog, someone of culture, apparently had the same idea: going out from his house for a little bit, because of the beautiful day, for reading on a bench. A good and pleasant luxury.
At first the two are a bit surprised to find another one sat on the bench, but, at the same time they are curious; the dog at a certain point tries to "spying" what the female cat does, helped by the impression that he was reading. The female cat at the same time time thinks that the reading dog is interesting and it would be nice to start a conversation with him but...How to start a conversation, where possible?
Spring will be of great great help, removing all barriers. They will soon become good friends. The female cat, in fact, with a happy intuition will offer at the dog her food and it will be the beginning of a great friendship.

It's a tender, delicate children's book this one who wants to stimulate parents and children at a good and profound renewal, stimulating acceptance, differences of visions and hobbies; it's a children's book this one that want to let us understand that we can all be friends.

I thank NetGalley for the digital copy of this eBook.

<b>4 stars</b>

*Thank you to the author and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

This was such a charming and cute story - It was very visually pleasing, and the only criticism I have is that it was too short!

This book is sort of a zen study on stillness.

A dog and a cat eat lunch or read together, on a bench, where the cherry blossoms fall upon each one, as they flick it off.

<img src="https://g2comm.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Screen-Shot-2019-01-16-at-11.13.01-PM.png" alt="in blossom" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-4899" />

It is the way they finally acknowledge each other, and the cat shares her lunch with the dog.

It is a spring sort of soft story.

Other than the falling blossoms, I would not read more into it.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

A simply written, carefully illustrated picture book about characters Cat and Dog sharing space on a bench beneath a blooming cherry tree. I enjoyed its simplicity and might have appreciated more! Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to preview #InBlossom by Cheon Yooju

I was really excited to read this book, but unfortunately, I was disappointed. I was expecting a sweet story about a cat and a dog making friends, but really nothing happened. I think this book would only be suitable for very young children, as there is really nothing of substance in the plot. That being said, the illustrations are beautiful.

My Thoughts

When I saw the beautiful cover for this book, I was entranced and thought it would be lovely to read. It looked to be a volume of beauty with a sweet tale to compliment.

In this short tale, the illustrations are sublime. Minimalist beauty - sweet and pointed - with expressions captured wonderfully well.

The story itself, whilst endearing, is just too short. I wanted more. A start was made about a sweet encounter one spring day but I feel it’s abrupt ending left me hanging. For children’s literature, a little more dialogue would have been beneficial.

The beauty in the book’s illustrations is a definite winner, however, I just needed more elaboration to go with it.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release.

In Blossom is a short simple sweet story of a cat and dog having lunch under a blossoming tree. Young children would probably enjoy this sweet reminder to slow down and enjoy the simple things in life occasionally. Perfect to read during springtime. 💕🍃

***Thank you Quarto Publishing Group and Netgalley for allowing me to read this little beauty.***

I don't usually like picture books with so little story, but this one is just so gentle and relaxing and sweet. Cat and Dog are strangers who meet in a park under a blossoming tree. Cat is eating her lunch and Dog is reading his book. A solitary petal falls, breaking the ice between the two and acting as the catalyst for a new friendship.

The pictures are really cute. I love how Cat is eating her lunch of sushi (with chopsticks! How does a cat even use chopsticks?!) and Dog is a scholarly little fellow. The mostly monochromatic look is broken up by the softest touches of pink, and even a little green. It's a pretty book to look at, although I'm not sure if it'll appeal to kids who like their colours a little more vibrant.

All in all, this is a pleasant little picture book celebrating spring and new friendships. I'd definitely recommend it!

An exceptionally illustrated look at the simple things in life that we often take for granted. Highly recommended for early readers.

In Blossom is a short picture book that tells the story of a cat and a dog and how they met on "a sun twinkling and breeze blowing day". Interesting story and beautiful artwork.

Thank you to Cheon Yooju, Quarto Publishing Group - Lincoln Children's Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Beautiful little illustrations in this story about a cat, a dog and the joys of spring in the park. My daughter, 5, especially loved this as she’s a huge fan of animal stories and this one was highly engaging. The illustrations really do transport you into a springtime park, and it was quirky enough to keep mum amused too.