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neerja12's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
backonthealex's review against another edition
4.0
This has been a year of loss for so many people, but for children who have lost a parent, it is an especially devastating loss. It may be hard for them to understand fully what has happened, and often wishful thinking can easily move into their thoughts. María Wernicke has used very sparse text supported by spare illustrations to capture the emotional feelings and wishes of one young girl dealing with loss and how her mother responds to her pain.
After finishing a meal, a young girl begins telling her mother about a passageway in their backyard. As the two head out to hang up some freshly washed red sheets, the child explains that some days, it's there, other days, it isn't, but she makes it clear that this isn't some kind of fantasy passageway - it's not a well, a hollow in a tree and there is no door that leads to fantastic adventures.
On the other side of the passageway, life is different. The child plays with an unknown man, presumably her father. There, in his presence, "I've already learned how to swim./ And it's not cold,/ and there's no danger./ And nothing, nothing at all, can can happen to you." Yearning for the safe and comforting arms of this man, the little girl wishes that passageway could be there everyday.
After listening to her child tell her about this passageway and what she finds there, her understanding mother tells her daughter that they can always go looking for it together, even if they don't always see it.
Without saying it, but relying on the illustrations, it is clear the this little girl and her mother have just lost their father and husband, indicated only by their grief and the pork pie that plays an important but subtle part of the narrative. There is an interesting use of color throughout the story. The parts of the story that revolves around the girl and her mother are done in shades of gray, reflecting the somber mood of mourning and grief, with the exception of the sheets being hung on the line which serve as the portal to the other side of the passageway. On the other side, the girl is still dressed in gray, but the unnamed man is done in a bold, bright red coat, letting the reader know that he is still very much alive in his daughter's mind, even as she grieves.
This is a gentle, solemn, very poignant story about a child dealing with loss and missing all the things that might have been had the loved one not passed away. But it is also a story that carries a great deal of hope and love and a promise of a future that also includes the memories of the past. This is the kind of book I wish I'd had when my Kiddo's dad suddenly passed away when she was young. It is the kind of book that will start needed conversations. I highly recommend it.
After finishing a meal, a young girl begins telling her mother about a passageway in their backyard. As the two head out to hang up some freshly washed red sheets, the child explains that some days, it's there, other days, it isn't, but she makes it clear that this isn't some kind of fantasy passageway - it's not a well, a hollow in a tree and there is no door that leads to fantastic adventures.
On the other side of the passageway, life is different. The child plays with an unknown man, presumably her father. There, in his presence, "I've already learned how to swim./ And it's not cold,/ and there's no danger./ And nothing, nothing at all, can can happen to you." Yearning for the safe and comforting arms of this man, the little girl wishes that passageway could be there everyday.
After listening to her child tell her about this passageway and what she finds there, her understanding mother tells her daughter that they can always go looking for it together, even if they don't always see it.
Without saying it, but relying on the illustrations, it is clear the this little girl and her mother have just lost their father and husband, indicated only by their grief and the pork pie that plays an important but subtle part of the narrative. There is an interesting use of color throughout the story. The parts of the story that revolves around the girl and her mother are done in shades of gray, reflecting the somber mood of mourning and grief, with the exception of the sheets being hung on the line which serve as the portal to the other side of the passageway. On the other side, the girl is still dressed in gray, but the unnamed man is done in a bold, bright red coat, letting the reader know that he is still very much alive in his daughter's mind, even as she grieves.
This is a gentle, solemn, very poignant story about a child dealing with loss and missing all the things that might have been had the loved one not passed away. But it is also a story that carries a great deal of hope and love and a promise of a future that also includes the memories of the past. This is the kind of book I wish I'd had when my Kiddo's dad suddenly passed away when she was young. It is the kind of book that will start needed conversations. I highly recommend it.
curlygirl71's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
thayfeger's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
deecolfs's review against another edition
4.0
So short, but so meaningful.
I also liked the art in it.
I also liked the art in it.
chyina's review against another edition
5.0
Loved
There's always a need for children's books with a deep meaning. The style is beautiful and there's a message of hope that made me smile.
There's always a need for children's books with a deep meaning. The style is beautiful and there's a message of hope that made me smile.
nushreadsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful story about loss and missing loved ones. The art is stunning and it is written simply so that young children can understand and empathise with it.
look_whos_reading's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book on Amazon during their World Book Day sale. They had ten different titles under their "Discover the World" theme and this one is translated from Spanish to English (it's first published in Argentina).
I have never picked up a children's book to read after my teens :-) Don't be fooled by this description though. This is a sweet little story of a mother and daughter that bond over the simple chore of daily laundry. Their conversation is simple on the surface but about profound love and loss when you think about it.
I recommend this short, wistful, picture book to everyone (child and adult) who has ever lost a cherished one and misses them, remembers them fondly but lives on cheerfully.
I have never picked up a children's book to read after my teens :-) Don't be fooled by this description though. This is a sweet little story of a mother and daughter that bond over the simple chore of daily laundry. Their conversation is simple on the surface but about profound love and loss when you think about it.
I recommend this short, wistful, picture book to everyone (child and adult) who has ever lost a cherished one and misses them, remembers them fondly but lives on cheerfully.
divadiane's review against another edition
4.0
This won an translator’s award and I’m not surprised. Shimel is an excellent translator. He is a poet as well and translated the winning Dwarf Stars award poem from 2019. I received this book from Amazon First Reads.
In very few words and an economy of expression in the artwork as well, Wernicke tells a layered story of the longing of a child for a safe place where loved ones dwell. Some days she can go there.
In very few words and an economy of expression in the artwork as well, Wernicke tells a layered story of the longing of a child for a safe place where loved ones dwell. Some days she can go there.