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Mayfly Day Jeanne Willis, illus Tony Ross, Andersen Press, 978-1-8427-0606-0, £5.99 pbk The subject of death is one that adults often struggle with when communicating with children, whether it is the loss of a pet or a person. This book introduces the notion that everything dies and that even a short life can be full of meaning and purpose. In an almost perfect marriage of words and pictures, it shows how the Mayfly spends her life and the contribution she makes to all other life in the process; it manages to provide a sense of both consolation and celebration.
The Tunnel Anthony Browne, Walker Books, 978-1-4063-1329-1, £6.99 pbk Browne presents a relationship between a brother and a sister and highlights the differences which separate them. On a day when they have to spend time together the brother defies his sister to follow him into a mysterious tunnel. In order to do so she must overcome her fears, and becomes his saviour and protector. Many questions and themes arise from this deceptively simple story and surreal artwork, most notably, why did she follow him in and how does she overcome her fears in order to do so?
The Red Tree Shaun Tan, Lothian, 978-0-7344-1137-2, £9.99
It was difficult to choose just one of Tan’s work as it all lends itself well to critical thinking and philosophical enquiry. Here, Tan focuses on a number of internal questions we ask ourselves throughout life, about the trials and tribulations of our human existence. He then creates some amazing and challenging images to illustrate the feelings they can generate,
before
creating a final image which suggests a means of coping with all that life throws at us and finding ways of sustaining ourselves.
Angus Rides the Goods Train Alan Durant, illus Chris Riddell, Picture Corgi, 978-0-5525-6919-4, £6.99 pbk This is a wonderfully thought-provoking work, which remains topical and relevant in terms of children’s direct and indirect experience of social inequality both here
and around the world. Angus’s dream of riding on the goods train and sharing its contents with those in most need rather than those who have more than enough is juxtaposed with the reality he sees on his television screen when he wakes. This in turn shapes and reinforces his commitment to bring about social justice and positive change.
Wild
Emily Hughes, Flying Eye Books, 978-1-9092-6362-8, £6.99 pbk
An unnamed girl is raised by animals in the woods and taught how to survive and thrive until she is discovered by ‘other animals’, otherwise known as adults. Emily Hughes then joyfully and anarchically depicts the various failed attempts to civilise the girl before she escapes back to an accommodating natural and untamed environment. The concluding ‘because you cannot tame something so happily wild’ is a wonderful declaration in celebration of not just what constitutes childhood, but how one finds one’s ‘inner child’ and the freedom to be oneself.
The Day No One Was Angry Toon Tellegen, illus Marc Boutavant, Gecko Press, 978-1-9272-7157-5, £12.99 hbk
Twelve simple but highly philosophical and beautifully illustrated short tales humorously observe the existence and purpose of anger. The causes are gently explored in scenarios involving various animals either being thwarted, as with the Elephant who despite his better judgement wants to climb trees, or in disputes with one another, as with the Hippopotamus and the Rhinoceros who refuse each other safe passage. The notion that anger itself is an inevitable and necessary part of the human condition but needs to be properly managed is gently brought home.
John Newman is children’s book buyer at the Newham Bookshop.
Books for Keeps No.214 September 2015 5
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