In Scaredy Book, whose cover and end pages are a story in themselves, attention is drawn to themes of shyness, safety of the familiar, fear of change and being brave.
These unsettling emotions frequently experienced by young children, are transformed into a challenge with a solution, and a happy ending.
Although Book thinks about doing new things, he
feels comfortable and secure to stand back and watch as others leave the
shelves and enter the world outside the library. They travel to unknown places
in bags and luggage, to return creased or dirty, some with pages missing,
always to leave again on a new adventure.
Emma felt safe in the library too, but in a
different way. She went on adventures between the pages of books she chose
carefully, for she was full of courage, and curious to explore her world in
every way.
It was when Book made himself seen by Emma, that
life shifted for them both. Emma liked the look of Book immediately. She dusted
him off and took him into the sunlight to brighten up a bit. Then she took Book
everywhere with her, even into the rain, to the soccer game, and to the park.
When Book returned to the library, it wasn’t in the
same condition that he’d left. And he was happy to let the others know all about
his new imperfections; evidence of his braveness that marked him forever.
Cara King’s illustrations allow the eyes and facial
expressions of all the characters, to portray the changing emotions expressed
in the text. This is what I call
immersive intention. Her artwork has warmth
and a delicate gentleness. The delightful soft pastel colours and images are in
perfect sync with the entire layout of this well-designed book.
Title:
Scaredy Book
Author:
Devon Sillett
Illustrator:
Cara King
Publisher:
EK Books, $24.99
Publication
Date: 1 May 2018
Format:
Hardcover
ISBN:
9781925335682
For
ages: 4 – 8
Type:
Picture Book
