The Boy and the Elephant, by Freya Blackwood

“Ahhhhhhh… yessssss,” I said out loud as I gazed at Freya Blackwoods’ hypnotically captivating cover for her stunning new picture book, The Boy and the Elephant.

And one of the best surprises— after going in with those incredibly high exceptions, is that this wondrous book never let me down— not even the tiniest bit. In fact, it inspired me page, by glorious page.

This is a wordless picture book. In my opinion these are very hard to do well. Because you’re relying on the reader to be the author. You’re asking them to ‘fill in’ the text and the literary story. If your illustrations don’t deliver enough punch, don’t pull that reader in to want to add more, and to explore the narrative, then you just have half a picture book.

But The Boy and the Elephant does draw you in. Almost in a mysterious, what else is in that box, should I peek inside, kind of way. We follow a little boy into the woods next to his house. He finds comfort and solace there with the animals and the tree-shaped elephants… or elephant-shaped trees? Is he unhappy at home? He seems to feel left out, we see his mother tending a new baby and that he looks left out at school. So, when the developers come, and mark the trees with x’s to cut down, our dear little boy must find a way to save them.

It’s ethereal, and magical, and definitely opens up questions about our environment and ways that young people can get involved.

I am going to buy this book. Because I will revisit it often. I will marvel at Freya Blackwood’s masterful line and brilliant page layouts. I will likely shamelessly ‘borrow’ some of her compositions and I will be inspired by her tasteful restraint. That curious awe that draws you in to this little boys’ magical world. The mystery that keeps you looking for clues and writing your own story over and over again. Absolutely magnificent, this is a book to capture anyone and everyone’s heart.

Thank you, Freya Blackwood!

Jennifer Black Reinhardt

Jennifer is the illustrator and author of several acclaimed picture books. Most recently is Always by My Side, 'A Stuffie Story', which she wrote and illustrated. She also is both the author and illustrator of Playing Possum, and Blue Ethel. Jennifer illustrated Gondra’s Treasure, written by Newbery award winner Linda Sue Park. As well as, Sometimes You Fly, by Newbery medalist, Katherine Applegate. She illustrated Yaks Yak, Animal Word Pairs by Linda Sue Park, The Inventor's Secret, What Thomas Edison Told Henry Ford, by Suzanne Slade, Rabbi Benjamin's Buttons, by Alice B. McGinty, and The Adventures of a South Pole Pig, by Chris Kurtz.

17 Comments:

  1. Oh wow! I love the artwork and the story. So, so beautiful. Thank you, Jen.

  2. Oh my gosh! Just brilliant. Thank you for sharing this. And thank you, Freya.

  3. How enthralling! Thankyou for sharing.

  4. I am anxious to read this beautiful story and gaze upon the gorgeous illustrations. Nice work.

  5. magical illustrations! I need to hold this book.

  6. Magical!

  7. This looks gorgeous! I especially love the spread you shared at the end, with the cityscape.

  8. Such a beautiful book filled with wonder.

    I look forward to reading THE BOY AND THE ELEPHANT.

  9. A wordless picture book…how gorgeous is this!

  10. Janet Frenck Sheets

    This looks really striking!

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