Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gorgeous but moody images contrast with joy of outdoors.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
OUTSIDE IN follows a young girl as she plays inside and outside her home. As she spends more time indoors, she realizes how much of the outdoors is still with her. The smells, light, and textures of the outdoor world come inside with us, just in different ways: Sunlight comes through windows, water flows through taps, food outside becomes food inside. Nature can touch us even when we're in our cars and homes, and is there for us to enjoy when we go outside.
Is It Any Good?
There's a lovely message here about the importance of our connection with nature, but the warmth of the words can get muddled with the moody, slightly melancholy images. Outside In helps emerging readers see that all the things they love outdoors can bring them joy indoors. Cindy Derby's watercolor illustrations, though, bring a sadness to many pages, showing the girl not happy where she is. Talking about the story as it unfolds will help the younger set understand and process their feelings, and see the beauty in the words.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how they feel when they've been inside for a while, like in Outside In. What do you miss? Do you ever feel like the outside is with you indoors, too?
When you think of being outside, what is the first place you think of being, and what do your five senses tell you about that place?
Who do you like to go outside with? Who do you like to be inside with?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Cindy Derby
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Adventures , STEM
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : HMH Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : April 14, 2020
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 7
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Hardback, Kindle
- Award : Caldecott Medal and Honors
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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