"All alone ...
he was not so brave.
He didn't need to be
that deep in the woods.
that deep in the woods.
TATARRATAT"
Living together in their mountain home, a father and son grieve the death of their wife and mother. Their sadness is palpable. As they struggle to find their way forward, anger builds and the son runs away one early morning. It is easy at the beginning to be on his own; the further away he gets, the more his fear grows.
Intermittent words and sounds allow Matt Rockefeller to fill the pages with an astounding fantasy world. Taking a sword and shield with him, the child makes his way on a journey where danger lurks in every corner. He wants an answer to his big question. He is determined to move forward despite the many obstacles he faces: giant spiders, a water serpent, gnomes mining mushrooms, slippery surfaces, a hot desert, and finally a tower where he discovers the statue of a woman covered in an evil-looking vine.
His magic sword puts quick work to the vine. His tear-filled eyes plead for the answer to his question: Mom, were you glad you were mom? Each corner of that spread reflects times when the two were together, enjoying life and shared experiences. Now he has his answer, he can begin the journey home. The words repeat in a story that reads in reverse as he makes his way. His heart is full. His path is clear as he provides care and help for those creatures earlier met. The need to be brave is no longer paramount. He is not alone; he and his father will find their way.
Impossible to read only once, this is a book to be shared again and again. There are many discoveries to be made!
No comments:
Post a Comment