Barbara McClintock’s illustrations for Where Are You, Brontë? are a tender, visual homage to two beloved figures: the late Tomie dePaola and Brontë, his adored dog. McClintock, herself a master of illustration, steps into a gentler, simplified style reminiscent of dePaola’s, adopting his soft, warm palette with grace and restraint. The result is not imitation, but —one artist allowing herself to be guided by the work of another to create a beautiful tribute.

Having had the rare gift of meeting both Tomie and Brontë, I can say McClintock has captured them perfectly. Tomie’s home—his real New Hampshire haven—is depicted with accuracy, charm, and the art and beauty that surrounded him. The house becomes more than a setting; it is a memory preserved. The carefully placed aqua throughout the book made me smile, evoking memories of his beautiful home.

And then there is Brontë: loyal, slightly mischievous, and always close to Tomie’s side. The story’s simple quest—searching for the missing Brontë—gives McClintock the framework to wander through moments of shared life, letting us see the bond between man and dog, artist and muse. The illustrations never overreach. Like Tomie’s own work, they are deceptively simple, characterized by clear lines, soft textures, and a palette washed in affection. McClintock’s work is typically characterized by the elegant, weighted lines of classic illustration from a much earlier era. Her restraint here proves that sometimes less can be more. DePaola was an illustrator who distilled shapes and lines to their essence, and here, that flows through McClintock’s hand.

McClintock’s reverence for dePaola is palpable, but so is her confidence. She is not trying to be Tomie—she is honoring him. The result is a book that feels like sitting in a sun-​warmed chair, paging through memories that are tender, funny, and full of quiet grace.

Where Are You, Bronte? is not just a tribute. It is a reunion, for fans, for those of us who knew the joy of Tomie and Brontë in real life and most importantly for young readers.

4.75 out of 5 colored pencils

Kelly Light lives in Amherst, MA but grew up down the shore in New Jersey surrounded by giant pink dinosaurs, cotton candy colors, and Skee-​Ball sounds. She was schooled on Saturday-​morning cartoons and Sunday funny pages. She picked up a pencil, started drawing, and never stopped.

Kelly is the author/​illustrator of the Louise series. Louise Loves Art and Louise and Andie, The Art of Friendship are the first two picture books in the series. Louise Loves Bake Sales and Louise and The Class Pet are the first readers in HarperCollins’ I Can Read program.

Kelly has also illustrated Elvis and the Underdogs and Elvis and the Underdogs: Secrets, Secret Service, and Room Service by Jenny Lee, and The Quirks series by Erin Soderberg, as well as the upcoming 2026 picture book release written by author Samantha Berger, Corny, with Henry Holt & Co.