|
SOME PIGEON AND PIGEONETTE REVIEWS!
25 October 2009
Kirkus Reviews:
"[Sarah] Verroken's rich, boldly colored woodblock prints provide an appropriately outdoorsy, textured feel. The birds' unusual appearances highlight their unique personalities: In his oversized undershirt, mighty yellow Pigeon towers over the minute, blue Pigeonette. With their black boots and outstretched wings, the loving duo enlivens each speckled spread. Playing with perspective and size, curved lines support the warm interactions. . . . This quirky tale will beguile."
Firrkids: (fragment):
The illustrations are hand carved and hand printed. Isn't that amazing in this day and age? Even the font was carefully chosen to "reflect the clumsiness and learning process of our pigeon friends." Holding this book in your hands is like having a durable piece of art that you can share with your children. The illustrator herself personally watched over the printing of this book at a small family owned Belgian printer. Knowing all the thought and care that went into this book makes me love it that much more.
SLJ November, 2009:
Pigeonette is a small pigeon whose small wings cannot take her south for the winter, so she stays in the woods after all of her friends have left. While she is hopping across the snow, she hears some loud thwacking sounds that result in a large, blind pigeon crashing into a tree. She befriends the big bird, musing that, “It’s sad when pigeons can’t fly,” and she takes him to her favorite tree. When an accident causes the branch they are sitting on to break, they discover that with teamwork they can indeed fly. Pigeonette can be the eyes and Pigeon provides the wings. The bold woodcuts and limited color palette convey the setting of the woods throughout the seasons. The boot-wearing pigeons are stylized and encourage closer examination. This is a story of overcoming odds and obstacles, and, despite an occasional adult tone, it delivers a positive and important message. “Carried by Pigeon’s strong wings, guided by Pigeonette’s bright eyes, they take off on their first trip to warmer toes.”–Stacy Dillon, LREI, New York City |