The Ordinary Life of Jacominus Gainsborough makes for an extraordinary picture book. Author Rébecca Dautremer depicts the life of tiny Jacominus with breathtaking illustrations inspired by some of the most notable paintings of the 19th and 20th centuries. Readers follow the life of a quiet but thoughtful rabbit from birth to his days as a cheery grandfather, and they will treasure every single page of what Jacominus himself refers to as “[a] little life, honest and satisfying.” Five extraordinary stars for a book that adults will love even more than children (who will still adore it).

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley, Publisher Spotlight and Post Wave in exchange for an honest review.

4 "whimsical tale full of gorgeous illustrations" stars !!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author/illustrator and Post-Wave Books. I am providing an honest review. This will be released in English at the end of May 2025.

First of all the illustrations are absolutely stunning and would look beautiful in a young boy's bedroom. The colors are vivid and they are both comforting and fascinating to the human eye whether child or adult.

This is a whimsical, quasi-philosophical tale of the life of a rabbit named Jacominus learning how to be brave and true and be good to all he loves. Lots of allusions to the history of France as well. A wonderful book for papas to share with their young sons ages 5 to 8.

Please note that the Kindle formatting is atrocious so do read on a large screen in the Netgalley shelf.

Absolutely stunning artwork rendered by Rébecca Dautremer in the style of various respected works by European artists illustrate the story of Jacominus Gainsborough, a rabbit.

We first meet Jacominus as a baby, and follow him through different stages of his life, and his relationships with family and friends. It's a profound book, reflecting on the simple, beautiful things of life, such as friendship.

The story is poignant, and shows that even an ordinary life has meaning.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Publisher Spotlight for this ARC in exchange for my review.

One of the most visually stunning children's books, Jacominus is absolutely adorable. Not really for small children, maybe appropriate for a 6-7 year old child, this book is quite philosophical. It tells the story of a small rabbit living his life with all it's highs and lows, joys and sorrows, and looking back to assess the value of the life he had lived. Big concept wrapped up in a beautifully illustrated book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

*The Ordinary Life of Jacominus Gainsborough* by Rébecca Dautremer is a whimsical and thoughtful tale about a rabbit named Jacominus, who learns about bravery, truth, and love. The story is filled with philosophical undertones and allusions to French history, which may make it a bit harder to follow for younger readers or those unfamiliar with the context. However, the illustrations are absolutely stunning, filled with vivid colors that are both comforting and captivating, making them a treat for the eyes of children and adults alike.

The book’s beauty lies in its unique mix of imagery, which combines playful elements with more sophisticated art, inspired by some of the most notable 19th and 20th-century paintings. The illustrations alone would make this book a wonderful addition to any child’s room, especially a young boy’s. Jacominus’s life, told from his birth to his time as a cheerful grandfather, is depicted with breathtaking detail, and each page offers a rich, visual experience.

This book is a great choice for papas to share with their young sons, particularly those aged 5 to 8, and offers a heartwarming lesson in how to live a life that is “honest and satisfying.” While the narrative might be more appealing to adults, who will appreciate its depth, children will still be enchanted by the illustrations and the gentle lessons woven throughout the story. I would rate this 5 out of 5 stars for its artistic beauty and philosophical charm. I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and Post Wave.

The art in this book alone is worth looking at! It's like being at a museum and admiring the art. And then, you have his amazing story of life...the ups, the downs, the ins and the outs. Just magical.

The Ordinary Life of Jacominus Gainsborough, as the title implies, follows Jacominus throughout his life as an anthropomorphized rabbit. He starts off as a dreamy little rabbit with a weak leg, but learns more about life and what is important to him as he grows up. The story follows him through the ups and downs of life with beautiful, detailed illustrations. This would be a great one to read with an older kid, as it is a bit philosophical. The illustrations are sure to draw readers in as there's a lot to look at, and the story is really heartwarming and sweet.