Wordless books are rarely easy to define or
deconstruct. They allow readers the scope and opportunity to translate what
they see in their own individual way.
This is an artistic production. The
creator Blexbolex is a famous award-winning French comic artist, well known for
his use of colour and design, and recognized for his magnificent layouts.
This exquisite book comes with a linen spine and tactile
pages that resemble cloth. The whole-page artwork is a canvas of colour and it
is certainly a book-collector’s dream.
A girl goes to her grandad’s farm in the country
for the holidays. She has the whole place to herself; perhaps even finds it a
bit quiet at times. When grandad brings home an elephant that she considers an
interloper, things get interesting.
This picture book is more about challenging what
you see than what it says. Sometimes it is the visual value of a book that
measures its quality rather than the story that it tells. Children will find
their own stories within these pages and each one will be their singular insight
into the scenes, actions and reactions they are viewing.
The
Holidays is a book that gives and gives. It’s designed to
engage and absorb the reader/viewer in a constant renewal of happenings and
scenery, frames and circular visions; clocks and passing time, and all on
double-page images. Totally original in every way, it’s well worth a look. But
be warned! It will hook you with its beauty. Suitable for adults as well as
children.
Title:
The Holidays
Illustrator:
Blexbolex
Publisher:
Gecko Press, $29.99
Publication
Date: March 2018
Format:
Hardcover
ISBN:
9781776571932
For
ages: 5 - 105
Type:
Picture Book
