Katherine Paterson was inspired by Pamela Dalton’s extraordinary papercuts to take on the challenge of “reimagining” St. Francis of Assisi’s “Praise Song of the Creatures” (often known as “Canticle of the Sun”). Paterson has voiced St. Francis’s hymn in beautiful, accessible language, a lyrical poem of appreciation for God and nature, human experience, and the cycle of life, death, and renewal. “For all your gifts—for this wondrous universe in which we live, for family, for friends, for work and play, for this life and the life to come, we sing our praise to you.” Dalton’s astonishing papercut illustrations frame Paterson’s words. She cut out each intricate design incorporating people, plants, animals and other elements of the natural world from a single sheet of paper, hand-painting them with watercolor to add detail. Black page backgrounds showcase their intricacy, beauty, and harmony in a breathtaking visual display. (Ages 5–10)