Varmints
I came across this beautiful new book the other day, by Helen Ward and Marc Craste.
This book is one that straddles the border between picture book and graphic novel, and is no doubt intended for an older audience than the traditional picture book.(This genre is also being explored with great success by Australian author and illustrator, Shaun Tan, whose book The Arrival has won a host of awards here and overseas.)
The illustrations in Varmints are incredibly evocative, and have been done by film-maker Marc Craste, whose debut short film, Jo Jo in the Stars won the 2004 BAFTA Best Animated Short Film. Marc lends Varmints a wonderfully cinematic feel: the use of tracing paper and even the elements of gloss on the cover give it a feeling of movement, and there is an amazing sense of filmic perspective on the angles taken in the illos.
The text is lyrical and poignant, and works perfectly alongside the images.
Varmints tackles the theme of environmental degradation, and it reminds me a bit of both Dr Seuss’s The Lorax (the ultimate greenie book for kids written long before eco-matters were a daily news item) and Graeme Base’s Uno’s Garden (reviewed by me here).
This is a beautiful book for collectors, and I couldn’t resist it. (I had in mind that I might give it to someone, but by the time I got it home, couldn’t imagine who it would suit better than, well, me!)
Wow, this looks like a really beautiful book. I can’t wait to check it out!
16 Apr 2008 at 9.37 pm
I had it in my hands and this is one of those most incredible “comicbooks” I’ve ever seen in my whole life. Wonderful graphic novel, touching, inspiring, definitely not only for children. Intelligently educative, gently pushing important messages about our reality, about humanity. Definitely a book with one or even a few morals. I wish children would really be learnt from books like this one, maybe world would look differently then
07 Jun 2008 at 1.09 am
I first saw this book at a teaching conference and was so intrigued by the layout and eerie dark text against the beautiful illustrations. The local book store even thanked me for ordering it and now has it on their shelves!
My colleagues have mixed opinions, some feel it has links to the First World War; especially Part 3 when the Varmint wears a round cap like a military helmet together with the illustration of the poppy seed. One thing for certain is that the message is strong; despite all the destruction there is hope.
15 Aug 2008 at 8.57 pm