When I discovered through Netgalley that Emily Martin (Inside a Black Apple) was writing a children's book and that a digital ARC was available for review, I jumped on the chance. Oddfellow's Orphanage is based on Martin's collection of prints by the same name, and it follows the adventures of a group of whimsical orphans. Unfortunately, the execution of the story is a bit weaker than the art (which was incomplete at the time I read the book, but I've seen the original pieces that the story is based on). This reads more like a collection of little vignettes or short stories, rather than one longer narrative, and the characters lack development and emotional depth. It feels a little self-indulgent, to be honest, consisting mostly of the artist's favorite things, all jam-packed into a pretty package. However, I have no doubt that my 10 year old will love it unreservedly; I'll have no trouble adding it to our library on the basis of the art alone. 5 stars for the artwork; 3 stars for the story. 4 star rating overall.
I am a sucker for a great illustrated book. That's part of the reason why I love children's literature so much -- the interplay between the pictures and the words adds an extra element of "something else" to the stories, whether that "something else" is wonder or emotion or spookiness or pure whimsy. Here are some additional illustrated books I've read lately, as well as a few of my all-time favorites.
The Chronicles of Harris Burdick by Chris Van Allsburg
When I taught middle school English, I used Chris Van Allburg's The Mysteries of Harris Burdick as short story prompts in my classroom. Once I stopped teaching, I brought my collection of prints home and now several of them hang in my house (I have "Mr. Linden's Library" in my office/bedroom, and Cami has "Oscar and Alphonse" in her room). When I found out that some of my favorite YA authors were going to be writing short stories to accompany these drawings, I was so excited. This collection, for the most part, doesn't disappoint, although there are some duds -- it's a short story collection, after all, so things are bound to be a little uneven. I think that a lot of the reviews have been unfair, in that people have put their own expectations of what they think these stories should be onto these authors; personally, I think it's fine to be inspired by just a bit of the opening sentences or only the illustration or both or whatever. That's what I encouraged with my own students. With that said, there are some true standouts here. Here's a quick breakdown, story by story.
"Archie Smith, Boy Wonder" -- Tabitha King's story had potential but it ultimately just didn't fit. One of the weakest in the collection.
"Under the Rug" -- marked by Sciezka's delicious sense of humor (and a great way to teach idioms)
"A Strange Day in July" -- creepy in a good kind of way
"Missing in Venice" -- probably the most faithful to the overall illustration. Just well-done.
"Another Place, Another Time" -- a powerhouse story; it's the best writing I've EVER seen from Doctorow and carries an emotional component that makes it resonate long after the story is over.
"Uninvited Guests" -- seems out of place, written more for adults than children. Just doesn't fit.
"The Harp" -- good emotional content, but the two parts just didn't gel
"Mr. Linden's Library," a surprisingly delicate story about the power of a good book by Walter Dean Myers, who isn't really one of my favorite authors at all
"The Seven Chairs" -- Lois Lowry is a gift. Truly.
"The 3rd Floor Bedroom" -- Kate DiCamillo is just magic.
"Just Desert" -- this one seems to capture the mood of the entire original book in one story
"Captain Tory" -- another one that just doesn't work
"Oscar and Alphonse" -- had the potential to be one of the best in the series but it just ends. Disappointing.
"The House on Maple Street" -- a trademark King story that hits hard and pays homage (at least I think so) to one of the greats of scifi, Ray Bradbury
Wildwood (The Wildwood Trilogy #1) by Colin Meloy, illustrations by Carson Ellis
I loved the "experience" of this book: incredible pen and watercolor illustrations on full-color plates, deckled edges, heavy textured paper, the square shape (which is my favorite shape for a novel, btw -- weird, I know). Everything about HOW this novel is presented is a sign of lovely craftsmanship. On one level, this is an enjoyable middle grades novel about a young girl who undertakes a quest to rescue her brother in the woods of Portland, featuring all the elements of a typical Narnian fantasy. And maybe that's the problem. There's much to like about this story, in terms of all the smaller details -- Prue's name, her familiarity with her city, the talking animals, the maps, the bandits and more. But when you put it all together, combined with Meloy's almost overwritten style, it just doesn't coalesce into what it has the potential to be. It takes a while to get to know the characters and by the end, there's still much we don't know (and hello? What is up with the parents in this book? Seriously?!?) Of course, that leaves things open for the next book in the series, and we know I'll read that one as well, because it is practically impossible for me not to finish a series.
Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick
I don't think I was quite as emotionally impacted by this story as I was by Selznick's previous work, but this is still a moving tale, told through a combination of words and pictures that bring together the lives of two characters. The underlying theme of this story seems similar to Huge Cabret, but finding out who you are and discovering a culture where you belong are universal in nature, so that makes sense. I love how all the threads of this story come together, and reading about the research that Selznick completed to develop the story was just as fascinating to me as reading the story was.
The Arrival by Shaun Tan
Absolutely incredible. Tan's artwork is so evocative and imaginative -- I lingered over every page, peering as closely as possible, to catch all the details. What a moving story -- and to tell it so clearly without words -- that's a true gift.
A Circle of Cats by Charles de Lint
More like an illustrated short story. Vess's illustrations and de Lint's charming story make a great combination. This is one of my oldest daughter's favorite books. If you enjoy the story, then you'll also want to check out Seven Wild Sisters, both for Charles de Lint's writing and Charles Vess's illustrations.
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
This is one of the best novels I've read in some time. Everyone needs to have a copy of this on their bookshelves.
