World of Books: Canada, Czech Republic, and France

Yes, writers and illustrators in other countries produce wonderful children’s books, as we do. And why shouldn’t we consider those too? A number of years ago I started collecting children’s picture books from other countries I visited. When friends or relatives went somewhere exotic, I sometimes asked them to bring one home for me. I looked for books written and illustrated by locals that seemed honest to the culture, rather than imitative of the American outlook. Now I have nearly thirty. Not an enormous number, but from a good range of countries of origin. Maybe I should travel more!

I can’t read many of these beautiful books, and I am sorry to be so language deficient, however the illustrations make up for that.

Here are three that all have dark elements, in the literal or figurative sense. Edmond le Prince des Ratons by Christiane Duschesne and Steve Beshwaty, which is from Quebec, Canada and Pohadky, povesti a legendy by Adalbert Stifter, which is from Prague, the Czech Republic, are both illustrated with a technique that appears to involve underpaintings in dark colors (often black) upon which the glaze colors are applied.

They both  involve interesting textures, though the styles are very different. The story of the raton is lively and cartoony with a wonderful overall rhythm of white eyes with tiny black pupils throughout. The Czech story looks like a series of traditional folktales that have a peasant-flavored mood  showing domestic animals, people in humble clothing, and rural landscapes. Was the illustrator influenced by painters Chagall or Rousseau? The effect is both child-like and sophisticated, an intriguing combination. Picturebooks are a child’s first introduction to art and this artist has made full use of that. This book has a lovely three-piece hardcover binding with gold lettering on the spine and a ribbon bookmark. It has the feel of a classic.

Le Garçon Scarabee, by Lawrence David and illustrated by Delphine Durand, was inspired by The Metamorphosis of Franz Kafka. Although the artwork is bright and childlike, ala Myra Kalman, the theme has its dark side, of course.  This book is from Gallimard Jeunesse publishers, France, the illustrator is French, was first published by Random House, NY and is inspired by Kafka, who was born in Bohemia and wrote in German. How’s that for global!

Opening the doors of a child’s mind to all the books of the world is a wonderful stimulant.

You can see more World of Books posts here at WritersRumpus by clicking the red “World of Books” tag below.