The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant
Illustrated by Stephen Gammel

Cynthia Rylant has written a plethora of successful books for children, and Stephen Gammel’s illustrations never cease to amaze me. I have several books written by Rylant, and I have several books illustrated by Gammel. In my opinion, The Relatives Came is a perfect merger between art and words. Let’s look at what makes this team effort between Rylant and Gammel simply perfect:

In several places, Stephen Gammel’s illustrations move into areas that Rylant does not mention in the text:

Because the traveling family are moving along a stretch of land from Virginia into the mountains [No  doubt the Appalachian Mountains], the reader might assume that the roads were twisted and filled with sharp, hair-pin turns, but Rylant does not say all of that. Stephen Gammel’s illustrations help the reader better understand where this journey is taking place.

Rylant also does mention the mountain music, which would probably be part of this family’s reunion. Gammel adds to Rylant’s text with images like the one above.

Rylant mentions that the Relatives helped the mountain people with chores and gardening, Gammel fills in the blanks. His art suggests that they may have even cut the other peoples’ hair. — Just down home neighbors.

In other areas, Gammel’s illustrations are spot-on. But Gammel turns the station wagon into another member of the family. Because of Gammel’s art, the station wagon becomes another character.

It goes without saying that Rylant’s text is flawless. I cannot imagine anyone who could have recreated a country reunion better than she.