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CM . . . . Volume XXI Number 3 . . . . September 19, 2014
Another lovely book from Vancouver publisher Simply Read Books. This company offers, in the parlance of the recording industry, indie illustrated works for children. From re-imagined classics such as Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky to new works like this one, Simply Read has an unusual catalogue.
There is a great view of coffee drinkers at outdoor tables, all their newspapers undisturbed by any breeze. And there is the line of laundry completely at rest.
When the bluebird has almost given up her search, she realizes that she has gotten to the top of the tallest building on her own. She has been flying all along without the wind's help. But the wind returns anyway, to accompany her and her new self-confidence in their explorations. Delightful illustrations of city life are described in muted colours. Bluebird sees scenes from above, below and even inside, as when she works her way through a display of hanging scarves (whose fringes are, alas, not aflutter). The story has been fashioned with care and is told neatly and poetically. Restraint gives a European feel to the book. Bluebird is the first English-language picture book to the credit of Yankey, a young American artist, although she does have some Italian publications to her name. She is certainly a talent to be watched. Highly Recommended. Ellen Heaney is a retired children's librarian living in Coquitlam, BC. Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.
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Table of Contents for This Issue
- September 19, 2014. |
Bluebird consists of a soothing, familiar sequence of events as a little bird tries to find the wind which has been her constant companion. Why? She can't fly without it! After checking out the condition of the dandelions (seed heads still intact) and a kite, another obvious partner of the wind (just lying on bench), she feels "confused and curious".