Blanket

In this wordless picture book, Cat wakes up to a bright sunshiney day: the trees and plants outside the window are a vivid green and pink, the sky is bright blue, and the birds are chirping and lively. However, Cat feels sad and slides off their bed, dragging the blanket with them and hiding under it. Dog arrives and tries to cheer Cat, first by reading a book to the blanket blob and then by joining Cat under the blanket. Dog brings a flashlight and the two play. Dog’s entreaties to bring Cat out from under the blanket are unsuccessful, but once Dog leaves, Cat plays happily by themself and slowly moves out from under the blanket. Dog returns with snacks and the two have a picnic.

Ohi’s illustrations do an admirable job of conveying this simple narrative. Most of the pictures are minimal and focus only on the character(s) and the object(s) with which they directly interact. The backgrounds are white and bare, devoid of details that may distract from the plot. Though Cat and Dog are drawn simply, Ohi manages to convey much with their body language and facial expressions. Colour also plays an important role; the first page in which Cat wakes up to a beautiful day is awash in colour while, in subsequent pages, the only things in colour are Cat and Dog’s clothes and the titular blanket which is blue, like Cat’s mood. More colour is brought back on the last page after the central conflict has been resolved.

Discussing mental health in children’s literature can be tricky, but Ohi treats the subject with the delicacy it needs. The wordless text and the silence that creates mirrors the interiority of dealing with one’s mental health; it is not an outward struggle but an inward “silent” one. Despite the bright world outside, Cat is sad, which shows that these feelings do not always have an external trigger. Ohi also shows the importance of friendship; however, it is ultimately Cat’s bravery and resilience that allows them to move out from under the blanket.

Blanket is a gentle book for sensitive readers who may also have days where they want to hide under a blanket.