If it seems like a last time since I posted, it is. This is due to a fall and an operation that kept me inactive over the past 7 weeks. If you’re interested to find out exactly what happened, you’ll find a little about it here. http://christian.families.com/blog/thems-the-breaks

So, these books have been sitting on my desk waiting along with a whole pile of other work I couldn’t get to. Hopefully now I can start to make a dent in it.

With Christmas fast approaching here are two unusual and special picture books, neither of which are intended for the very young child.

Simpson and his Donkey

Text by Mark Greenwood

Illustrated by Frané Lessac

A stretcher bearer and a donkey are an unlikely pair of heroes. This is picture book tells the story of factual events. It is the story of a boy, Jack who grew up in the streets of Tyne, England. Along with his friend Billy, Jack as a summer job provided donkey rides along the beach of South Shields. At the same time he dreamt of sailing away on adventure. At 17 he sailed to Australia. When war between England and Germany was announced, Jack enlisted. He trained as stretcher bearer.

On April 25^th Jack Simpson Kirkpatrick landed at Gallipoli.  Aided by a donkey, Jack carted wounded soldiers away from the battle zone to the hospital. He and Duffy the donkey rescued over 330 men in a 24 day period, among them his childhood friend, Billy.

It’s great to see historical events portrayed in a picture book and it is no wonder it has been listed by Kirkus Reviews as one of the top 30 books of 2008. The story will appeal to primary aged children.

The colours in the artwork are nothing les than stunning.  I admit initially to some reservations though about the style of the artwork, but the more I looked at it the more it grew on me. It suits the text which is matter of fact about events as it portrays this quiet hero and his four legged mate.

Included in the back of the book are two pages of facts about John Simpson Kirkpatrick, known as Jack, Anzac Cove, the Turks and their leader as well as his childhood friend Billy and the use of donkeys during the war.

This book deserves to be in all schools and libraries. It would be a good way of introducing children to aspect of war, bravery and heroism.

Requiem for a Beast

A work for image, word and music

By Matt Ottley

This book has caused a lot of controversy since it won the CBC Picture Book of the year award. And if you’re expecting a nice picture book to share with young children, this is not the one. It is part picture book and part graphic novel aimed at a young adult audience, which is certainly where it belongs.

It is an ambitious project. Amazing to think one person is responsible for the writing, the stunning artworks and accompanying CD.

            It starts off in a gentle poetic style with beautiful illustrations. I loved ‘the mushroom of clouds that boils from the horizon’ and ‘clouds that bulge with incandescent lightning.’

            Although there is still a poetic tone in the telling of the story, the language used at times particularly by the stockmen is certainly not suitable for young children, eg the language of Sharkey on page 16. It reflects the harsh language and lifestyle of stockmen. Swearing aside, the language is beautiful ‘A shotgun volley of stock whips explode above the ambient roar.’

The story is also violent and deals with themes unsuitable for young readers, which is fine, since it was not intended for them. It is however, menacing and hauntingly beautiful. ‘Perhaps that taste in the air is fear.’

It presents a clear picture of the stolen generation and the effects on them and those left behind. It is an interesting concept the way Minos and the Minotaur story weaves through the pages and ties the various strands of the book together.

This is not a book to be skimmed through or read all in one sitting but a book to be savoured slowly and thoughtfully. There is so much to read, to look at and absorb and to listen to on the accompanying CD.