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CM . . .
. Volume XII Number 4 . . . .October 14, 2005
Spectacular paintings combine with a well written emotional text to deliver a lovely book. Told from a young neighbor's point of view, the story focuses on Noelie, an elderly lady who is completely devoted to her goats. On reading the first few pages, one might question that this topic could make such a winning story, but the reader's patience will be rewarded.
The adult neighbors are not pleased with Noelie's unkempt property and the large numbers of goats, which they see as a "public nuisance." But Noelie, with "twinkling eyes and the warm smile between her rosy cheeks," wins the heart of two little girls who spend many days with Noelie as she feeds and cares for her goats. "The goats are my kids," she tells them. She also reads to the little girls, tells them stories of her youth, her coming to Canada, and explains her reasons for raising goats and her close relationship with them and especially the importance of the goats' nourishing milk. Her kindness and caring wins over the little girls' mother as well, and she proceeds to paint Noelie and her goats. Bregoli's amazing paintings result in an art show attended by many who were involved in Noelie's life, and, in turn, the show leads to others in Noelie's community to look beyond her strange clothing and ways and appreciate her virtue while becoming more accepting of her life style.
The impressionistic paintings are truly of art gallery quality and reflect Noelie's inner beauty and spirit. Noelie may be a "humble, simple and plain" woman, but this engaging picture book, with its intricate and expressive art work, is anything but! Entertaining and heartwarming, this is a story that teaches acceptance and tolerance and should be shared with many children. What a pity that this book is just in paperback, rather than hardcover. This book is the International Reading Association (2005) Teacher's Choice Award. Highly Recommended. Reesa Cohen is an Instructor of Children's Literature and Information Literacy at the Faculty of Education, University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, MB.
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The impressionistic paintings are truly of art gallery quality and reflect Noelie's inner beauty and spirit. Noelie may be a "humble, simple and plain" woman, but this engaging picture book, with its intricate and expressive art work, is anything but! Entertaining and heartwarming, this is a story that teaches acceptance and tolerance and should be shared with many children. What a pity that this book is just in paperback, rather than hardcover.