'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Saturday 19 December 2015

Review: The Big Adventure of a Little Line

A young boy is out walking one day when he sees it--a little shred of a line lying on the ground. He picks it up and puts it in his pocket,

At home, the line is given pride of place on the shelf next to other pretty treasures, and then life moves on.

Every now and then, the lad thinks of the line, until one day, he takes it down and, little by little, the two get to know each other.

Soon, they are making wonderful shapes together like a hat, a ball, a bike, and over time, they pretty much become inseparable and go everywhere together - right through the boy's life.
Through ups and downs, tragedies and triumphs, dark places and light--the line and the boy are there for each other, until one day . . .

This is a touching story about love and friendship that meanders--literally--over 88 gloriously white, almost-blank pages. Simple line-work that Bloch is renowned for, stands out vibrantly on the page, sometimes coloured with splotches of blue and slivers of red.

The sentiment of this story is rich and powerful, without a shred of schmaltz (just the way we like it) and its messaging is something virtually anyone can relate to.

At 88 pages, and a book for both children and adults, this one is a keeper. Would make a beautiful gift for a newborn baby.

Title: The Big Adventure of a Little Line
Author/Illustrator: Serge Bloch
Publisher: Thames & Hudson, $29.99 RRP
Publication Date: 1 November 2015
Format: Hard cover with dust jacket
ISBN: 9780500650585
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book