Genre: Picture Book
Format: Hardcover
Suggested age: 4-12
Author: John Thompson
& George Schultz
Illustrator: Wodin
ISBN: 9780974019062
Publisher: Illumination Arts Publishing Company 2006
Join Thompson and
Schultz as they describe their wanderings and imaginative adventures from
garden parties to daring exploration through swamps and sea. Simple, yet elegant, prose will draw young
ones in to the book and will inspire imaginative play while it will also give
the mature reader moments of reminiscing about their own childhood fantasies. The hands that are present in Wodin’s
illustrations suggest support for the children’s play. One is left wondering who’s hands are “the
hands I trust”, as a parent I see my own role in my daughter’s life supporting
and encouraging but a secondary meaning could also lead to more spiritual and
broader meaning.
On a lighter note, I
must admit that I’m a sucker for amazing illustrations. I love bold colours that bring out the
richness and intricacy of life, whether fantastical or real. Wodin’s illustrations were really the selling
point for this book as the prose throughout seemed to play “second fiddle” to
the images which makes me wonder what came first, the story or the
paintings? I’m not saying that Thompson
and Schultz’s poetry was lacking by any means but Wodin’s illustrations stole
the show and I had to remind myself after turning each page to read the
text. Now, if that was the purpose,
great! If not, I would humbly suggest
that the prose interact with the illustrations weaving through the paintings as
in Hanson’s book, The Next Place to ensure equal attention.
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