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This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book.
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For all the kids in my life: my students, my own, and those I have met and will meet along the way. Thank you for reminding me to have a sense of wonder and to see the world with my whole heart. —S.V. For my son, Luca, who sees everything with wonder —J.P. The illustrations in this book were made digitally. Cataloging-in-Publication Data has been applied for and may be obtained from the Library of Congress. ISBN 978-1-4197-6163-8 Text © 2023 Susan Verde Illustrations © 2023 Juliana Perdomo Book design by Heather Kelly
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. Not for resale, duplication, or reposting. Please do not quote without comparison to the finished book. Printed and bound in China
Published in 2023 by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS. All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, mechanical, electronic, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Abrams Books for Young Readers are available at special discounts when purchased in quantity for premiums and promotions as well as fundraising or educational use. Special editions can also be created to specification. For details, contact specialsales@abramsbooks.com or the address below. Abrams® is a registered trademark of Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
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by
illustrated by
SUSAN VERDE
JULIANA PERDOMO Abrams Books for Young Readers New York
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When I am busy— moving through my day, watching where I go—
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looking shows me what is right in front of my eyes.
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But when I slow down— find stillness, and notice with patience and curiosity— CanYouSeeIt_INT_cx1prf_7-11-22.indd 8
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I can see see. Seeing shows me more.
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I can look at a tree . . .
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but I can see life.
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Signs of change and letting go, flowering and feeding, shading and sheltering. A place to call home.
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see? What can you see
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I can look at a city block . . .
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but I can see beauty.
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Old mixed with new, life in unexpected places,
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moments of calm in the hustle and bustle. A story of community.
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What can you see see?
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I can look at the sky . . .
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but I can see magic.
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Floating, flying, arching, sparkling. An invitation to stay in or go out, rest or play.
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see? What can you see
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I can look at a friend . . .
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but I can see kindness.
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A helping hand.
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Making space for everyone.
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see? What can you see
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I can look at my family . . .
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but I can see love. Time together.
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A smile that says, “I am happy you are here.”
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A hug just when it’s needed.
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A warm meal made to share.
What can you see see?
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I can look at myself . . .
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and I can see my inner light shine. Can you see yours?
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Glowing from the inside out. Your creativity, your compassion, your joy. YOU. All that makes you YOU
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What can you see see?
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We can look.
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But seeing is the feeling in our bellies when we realize the world is full of miracles.
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This glorious universe has so much to share.
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Can you see it?
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AUTHOR’S NOTE The world is a sensory experience. We look, hear, taste,
Try the following exercise to practice seeing. You can
touch, and smell what is all around us. And when one of
be inside or outside, seated or standing, alone or with
our senses isn’t accessible, we turn to others to help us
a group, wherever you may be. Here is a seated version.
navigate our lives. But sometimes we move so quickly
Take a comfortable seat and begin with your eyes
through our days that we forget to stop and pay atten-
closed. Breathing in and out through your nose, start
tion. What would happen if we were to slow down and
to notice your own breath without trying to change or
go a little deeper with our senses? Instead of just looking
force it. Just give yourself a moment to be fully present.
at all that is around us, what if we tried seeing? Have
When you are ready, open your eyes and look straight
you ever thought about the difference? Seeing asks that
ahead at what is in front of you. It may not be anything
we take time to notice not only the details, but also the
surprising at first, but start to notice all the details.
information and the feelings we get from what is in front
What is its shape, color, size? Are there shadows? Is
of us. When we see, we find we can be curious, make
it moving or still? What is happening in the spaces in
discoveries, and be more connected to our lives.
between or around it? What is that object showing you
Can You See It? is all about taking a longer look
about itself? Maybe a flower is shaped a certain way to
and seeing what is miraculous in this big universe. It’s
attract a butterfly. Maybe the color of a leaf is an early
my hope that this book will lead to an exploration of
sign of fall. Finally, bring your attention to how it makes
The wonder of nature? What does that look like to you?
Holding on to all that you saw and all that you won-
You may be surprised by what you notice and what it
dered and felt, take a deep breath in and out through
makes you feel inside.
your nose, then gently open your eyes once again.
The practice of mindfulness is one way to cultivate
It can be fun to write your thoughts and feelings down,
a deeper relationship with your world by using your
or to talk about them during or after this exercise. You
senses to be in the present moment. When we pause,
can even create a piece of art or tell a story based on
breathe, and notice, we can be curious and see more.
what you discover when you take the time to see.
This is an advance, uncorrected proof. and conversation about what it meansNot to really one duplication, you feel inside. for see resale, or Is there joy or a sense of beauty? Is another, nature, the world—notreposting. just with our Please eyes, butdo not therequote sadness or confusion? There is no wrong answer, without comparison to the finished book. with our whole hearts. Can you see love? Friendship? only what you see. Now close your eyes once more.
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