Congratulations to Sydney Smith for Do You Remember? winner of the 2024 annual Sheila Barry Best Canadian Picturebook of the Year Award.
You don’t have to guess if you are reading a picture book by Sydney Smith. The first clue is his artistic ability to create lustrous illustrations that play with light in a way that makes you stare at the page for far too long. Secondly there is his simple poetic text, but his choice of words leave a lump in your throat and you wonder how this author manages to evoke so much emotion in his readers. Do You Remember? is no different. A poignant story told in a series of vignettes, with themes of change and loss that will make you think about your own family memories long after the book is closed.
Smith takes us on a visual, sensory journey through the eyes of a young boy, presumably himself, and shares a story that is touching and ambiguous. The reader is left to reach their own conclusion about whether the book is about death or divorce. The mother and son in the story exchange memories, a back-and-forth pillow talk, remembering good times: a family picnic and a new bike. These memories are juxtaposed with ones from a more painful time. An illustration of a father giving his son a teddy as the mother drives away to the city, with the words “We were lost,” signal a change to the reader.The illustration of a small apartment with the teddy and bike at the foot of the bed, are reminders of a previous place and time, but the future looks hopeful.
The story is told in rich illustrations, with smaller images outlining the mother’s and child’s memories. Smith uses close-ups of faces to evoke more emotion and plays with light and dark to strengthen prevailing themes. Fuzzy illustrations represent the concept of memories that are not crystal clear. The use of shading, texture and a muted colour palette create a simple child’s world and Smith highlights the artifacts that are important in a child’s life.
Sydney Smith in Do You Remember? has created a timeless story, that explains the concepts of change and loss, in a nuanced and sensitive manner appropriate for children. Linking the past and the future in this sensitive picture book is aptly handled by Smith’s skill with words and pictures.
We are pleased to announce this year’s honour books, Maybe a Whale, Jeffery Loves Blue and Wings,Waves, Webs.
Maybe a Whale
Words by Kirsten Pendreigh, pictures by Crystal Smith, Groundwood Books, 2023
Maybe a Whale is a heartwarming tale about love, loss, and the healing power of nature to process grief. A young girl sets off on a kayaking trip with her mother to find her late grandfather’s beloved whales, learning that some things remain with us even when unseen.
While Kirsten Pendreigh’s poetic text reveals the little girl’s evolving thoughts and emotions as the adventure progresses, Crystal Smith’s layered illustrations visually expand the depth and contrasting nature of these emotions. Smith’s digital artwork adds layers of detail that subtly enrich the story, reminding us of the power of words and images to work together to convey meaning and move the narrative forward.
As the mother and daughter bond with each other and their natural surroundings, sadness and frustration slowly give way to laughter and sparks of joy. Smith’s illustrations also gain in texture and colour, changing from black and dark grays, to dep purples, blues and hues of green, to the warmth of a fire and a rising sun. Smith’s illustrations transition from dark hues to vibrant colors, mirroring their emotional journey. The realistic Pacific Northwest setting beautifully showcases its marine wildlife and campers’ lifestyle, but Smith cleverly manages to create a parallel visual narrative–above, below, inside–that also reveals what lies hidden in the girl’s heart and mind.
This thought-provoking picturebook addresses complex themes with honesty and a tender, matter-of-fact simplicity. Its short texts, unique onomatopoeias, and colorful illustrations make it perfect for reading aloud or sharing together.
Jeffrey Loves Blue
Written by Loretta Garbutt; Illustrated by Lily Snowden-Fine; Published by Owlkids
Jeffrey Loves Blue is an endearing story that explores the themes of empathy and the courage to change. With a witty combination of words and illustrations, the book follows a boy’s inner journey as he steps out of his comfort zone to paint in red instead of his favorite colour, blue.
Garbutt’s skillful use of the conversation between Jeffrey and his caregiver authentically depicts Jeffrey’s love for the colour blue and his struggles with using another colour in his painting class. Painting in a different colour may seem simple to many people, but not for Jeffrey, as blue is the perfect colour for him. Under the encouragement of his patient caregiver, Jeffrey changes his mind from saying “Blue is MY colour” to “Just for today”, finally compromising as he cares about his friend, Keiko, who is upset about not being able to use blue paint for her artwork. The dialogue presented in black and blue fonts perfectly captures the interaction between the caregiver and Jeffrey, highlighting the gentle persuasion and understanding needed to help Jeffrey adapt to change while respecting his preferences and emotions.
Snowden-Fine’s simple yet captivating gouache-styled illustrations invite readers into the child’s perfect world in blue – blue pajamas, blue socks, blue hat, blue underwear, and blueberries – everything about Jeffrey has to be blue. Despite the limited color palette, Snowden-Fine adeptly uses different shades of blue to demonstrate the richness of Jeffrey’s world, featuring blue flowers, birds, whales, and sky. As the story progresses, the gradual addition of other colours – green, yellow, and finally red – subtly guides readers through Jeffrey’s thought process of embracing another colour for his painting. The childlike illustrations harmonize with the text, granting readers a tender glimpse into the boy’s inner world as he grapples with a challenging decision.
Accepting change may be difficult for people, but Jeffrey Loves Blue enables readers to see the rewarding side of the process. It offers a gentle, accessible exploration for readers to appreciate the virtue of empathy and be brave in facing change.
Wings, Waves & Webs
Written and illustrated by Robin Mitchell Cranfield; Published by Greystone Kids. 2023.
Wings, Waves & Webs is a stunning concept picture book about patterns in nature. Robin Mitchell Cranfield’s drawings are a mixture of simple, yet often sophisticated patterns, which will enthrall children and adults. The patterns that are illustrated in the book are often unexpected: stripes on sunflower seeds, cracks on a mushroom cap and spots on feathers. These unusual observations coupled with almost full-page illustrations of each pattern provide a jumping off point for children to share what they have observed and then to go and explore their own surroundings.
Mitchell Cranfield’s poetic text encourages a contemplation of the beauty of nature. The observations of natural patterns are captured and enhanced by her word choices, “snugly tiled hexagons” and “white foamy crests” to describe honeycomb and wave patterns. These varied, yet often similar patterns, shared between creatures and plants, are right in front of our eyes if we take the time to observe them. This picture book allows for connection building and would be useful in a classroom setting.
The pencil and ink drawings are stunning and drawn in a clean, yet whimsical manner. Mitchell Cranfield’s graphic design background is obvious in the design and visual aesthetic of this picture book. Each page has a pattern that is displayed on a bright, solid-coloured background and is a feast for the eyes. The book also has detailed end papers which display an illustrated grid of natural patterns, which will help to expand learning. These details will encourage pattern-seeking behaviour among the younger crowd.
Mitchell Cranfield’s rich text and stylized illustrations create a perfect union to inspire young minds. This carefully curated picture book about patterns is a joyful celebration on the wonder of nature.
PLEASE SAVE THE DATE, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2024 AT NOON FOR OUR FALL BRUNCH. YES, IT IS LATER IN THE DAY