The Rainbow Bridge

An American Bookseller Pick of the Lists

Florczak displays his virtuosity in the oil illustrations; the closest analogy to his technique would be found in the Pre-Raphaelites. The grandeur of the compositions -- the goddess in majestic poses, with her drapery flying about her, the play of light on water and in the sky, the scenes of innocence and beauty in this newly formed world -- contributes to an impressive piece of work.

Dramatic in composition and hyperrealistic in detail, the distinctive artwork sometimes looks as perfect as a photograph, sometimes as fantastic as a dream, and sometimes, as idealized, otherworldly, and emotionally cool as a Maxfield Parrish painting.

Wood and debut illustrator Florczak offer a transcendent adaptation of a Native American tale, their work a shining example of economy and elegance of text, originality of interpretation and dazzling illustrative technique...Working in layers, transparent oil glazes, Florczak produces a masterly piece of magical realism, infusing his sharply detailed paintings with light and colors of dreamlike brilliance. The figures, reminiscent of classical imagery in form and pose, seem to spring forth from the pages with an almost stereoscopic depth. Collaborative storytelling at its best.

It would be a crime to ignore a book as gorgeous as "The Rainbow Bridge"... Wood's tale is easy to read, while Florczaks paintings are realistically spellbinding.