Oh my word. This is heart-breaking.
The metaphor of shrinking yourself to fit is blown apart in this.
The giving and giving and giving and giving of yourself.
I found the creator's reflection on how to adapt her work into another language fascinating.
How language - and alphabets - frame our thinking.
It will always be Margaret Mahy!
This time, I've included another HCA winner: Quentin Blake.
Why this book? Well, it's really the second story: "The Librarian and the Robbers."
I wish I had Serena Laburnum's sangfroid.
I do have a t-shirt with a Miss Laburnum quote on it (thanks to my manager.)
AND the memory of spending time with Margaret Mahy. Including at this gathering for her 70th birthday, where we are admiring the bracelet I made for her.
Merging together various storytelling traditions – oral, written, and visual – this is a powerful anthology, commemorating Canada’s indigenous peoples.
There are stories of the past, the present, and the future.
As one reviewer said, these are post-apocalyptic tales – indigenous
cultures worldwide have lived – still live – in post-apocalyptic worlds, thanks
to Western colonisation.
A joyous romp of a book!
I challenge you not to smile while reading this.
Children and animals are lovingly detailed, with just enough scenery to provide context.
I was trying to decide which pages to photograph.
It would have ended up being the whole book.
A graphic novel retelling of a Finnish fairy tale is one that will haunt you.
The use of negative space, and of colour, is masterfully done.
Dystopian future.
Searching for community.
Searching for acceptance.
Being true to yourself.
A disability doesn't define you.
A disability isn't all you are.
*Sigh* another book featuring death and grief.
It is such a universal, that there is no surprise it features in translated works.
Simple and poignant.
Paula Green is a doyen of Aotearoa poetry, especially of that written for children. And, of that written by children.
There is so much to love about this book.
The production values.
The range of poets.
The range of poems.
The illustrations.
But, what I really, really, really love - is the inclusion of the children's poems.
The children are Poets, and they are treated with the respect and care as the adult, professional, poets.
The children's poems are included on merit - and they more than stand up to that.
How inspirational is this!
If you've never heard of Fatima al-Fihri (like me, before this book) - then it's time you had.
Fatima founded the University of al-Qarawiyyin in 857-859, as a Mosque and - subsequently, educational centre - and it is still going.
Picture book biographies are a wonderful way to meet new and amazing people. Even if you're a grown-up.
