mat_tobin's review
5.0
Is there anyone like Sara Fanelli? I don't think there is. Her extremely inventive, exciting approach to children's literature has meant a fresh reading of topics that have been covered before in a format who design and typography could be seen as challenging as much as they are exciting.
It took me a while to get into It's Dreamtime but I knew that this was because I was adjusting to Fanelli's style and layout. The tale itself, asks much from the reader on many levels in terms of understanding what it is that they are bringing to the text as well as interpretation of icons and symbols which may be new to them. Placement of type changes on most pages but there is a sense of repetition in both dialogue and format when each character recounts their dream. I wouldn't see this as inhibiting to the reading but rather exciting: it is clear that she enjoys playing with the idea of what a book 'is' or 'can be'.
The use of collage means that there is constantly new elements to draw us back for re-readings and, as with some of Tan's work, you are left wondering what other stories are woven in to the background.
It took me a while to get into It's Dreamtime but I knew that this was because I was adjusting to Fanelli's style and layout. The tale itself, asks much from the reader on many levels in terms of understanding what it is that they are bringing to the text as well as interpretation of icons and symbols which may be new to them. Placement of type changes on most pages but there is a sense of repetition in both dialogue and format when each character recounts their dream. I wouldn't see this as inhibiting to the reading but rather exciting: it is clear that she enjoys playing with the idea of what a book 'is' or 'can be'.
The use of collage means that there is constantly new elements to draw us back for re-readings and, as with some of Tan's work, you are left wondering what other stories are woven in to the background.
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