Kobi Yamada, illustrations by Mae Besom Compendium, Inc. Fiction, CH Picture Book Themes: Fables, Weirdness ****
Description
When a little golden chance approaches a boy, he fears it, and it flies away. What is he to do when another chance happens by?
Review
Like the other two titles in this series (reviewed below), this picture book visualizes a mental process and life lesson with imaginative illustrations.
Also like the previous two, it follows a now-familiar formula, and thus feels somewhat predictable. Decent for what it is, though by now I know the drill
and am a little less enthralled, plus I found the illustrations a trifle less absorbing than before.
Kobi Yamada, illustrations by Mae Besom Compendium, Inc. Fiction, CH Picture Book Themes: Fables, Weirdness ****+
Description
A child discovers an idea. Where did it come from? What to do with it? And what will it become?
Review
Another read during down time at work, this is a great title for anyone, young and old, who finds themselves both delighted and bedeviled by ideas. From
surprise to bewilderment, from fear to pride, the nameless child learns how to nurture an idea that nobody else seems to understand. The odd concept is
interestingly and imaginatively illustrated by Besom, flowing pictures full of hidden meanings that reveal something new each time you look at them. A fun
and inspiring book!
Kobi Yamada, illustrations by Mae Besom Compendium, Inc. Fiction, CH Picture Book Themes: Fables, Weirdness ****
Description
One day, a child finds a little problem following them around. Ignoring it only makes the problem grow bigger, and worrying about it makes it grow bigger
still. What can be done before the problem destroys everything?
Review
Like Yamada's What Do You Do With an Idea?, this book personifies an abstract concept with imaginative illustrations. I felt the idea book worked a
bit better, but then I'm a little tired of the message of problems always being welcome opportunities that inevitably lead to better things (with the unspoken
subtext that failure to see a problem as a welcome opportunity means you're wrong or weak for "not trying hard enough," that "it can't be that bad" - some
problems simply must be endured, without promise of opportunity or reward, and forcing that extra burden of having to seek the silver lining just doesn't help.)
Still, it's a good book that helps visualize the coping process, and offers hope of better things ahead.
