"I wonder if they ever get scared?
I wonder if they have a hard time
sleeping, and if the world can seem
scary to them like it feels scary to
me sometimes.
I don't know, I suppose
they might.
Have you ever wondered if they have
a family? Do you think they love
their family? I wonder what they do
for fun together? Do you think they
have birthdays?"
As two young boys stand on one side of a tall hedge, they share an enlightening conversation about those on the 'other' side of that hedge. One boy is uncertain about there being 'others'. His friend responds about their differences ... looks, language and almost everything else. How are they different? No heads or bodies? They do have those, 'but they're not like us'.
As the two converse, Charles Santoso uses his fine-line art to show a group of 'others' who resemble happy, energetic creatures who don't look much like their human counterparts. As one considers what those creatures might look like, the other contends they don't have any fanciful traits like wings, tails, and scales. The conversation continues about how the others look and act, while his friend has a less certain reaction. He knows they are human.
Regarding their hearts and brains, their feelings and reactions, it is time to consider those questions more seriously. One thinks more about how they might be the same. Making the decision to climb over the hedge and find out for himself, the second boy is now there, and not here with his friend anymore. Climbing both sides of the hedge to meet in the middle, they realize that each is always 'here'.
A compelling and thoughtful text, accompanied by Charles Santoso's perceptive images, this is a story that has an impact. While Kobi Yamada asks questions that certainly need to be asked, Mr. Santoso creates characters and scenes that encourage readers to listen carefully while closely observing both sides of the hedge. There is much to learn from the colors he chooses when considering who the others really are; how they live their lives; respond to others; deal with feelings; and spend their days. Readers' responses will range from giggles to careful thought. I love that the deep green hedge remains solidly in the gutter of the book until the final spreads move out to a full scene of earth's beauty, and then into space where Earth exists.
Text and art together assure that their story is told with a light touch as it reflects on understanding of and kindness to 'others'.
"I wonder if maybe there isn't really
a there? And maybe there isn't really
a them? Maybe there's just us?
And maybe we are all here together?"
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