Today on the blog, we welcome Shara Kronmal, a first time contributor, who reviews three playful, pun-filled books by Claude Ponti, translated from the French…
by Shara Kronmal
Those of us who love picture books are fortunate to have three works by French writer and illustrator of children’s books Claude Ponti now available in English translation from Elsewhere Editions. These all fit a much-needed niche of picture books that appeal to young children with longer attention spans, the ones who like to pour over the details of illustrations, who enjoy silly words and pictures, and are not put off by big words and longer text.
These are books to be savored, where new details emerge on each reading and will delight adult readers as well as children. The translations are a true labor of love requiring a stunning eye to detail. Alyson Waters (and in the instance of Blaze and the Castle Cake for Bertha Daye, her daughter Margot Kerlidou) did a wonderful job of translating wordplay and puns into the English language. The books themselves are oversized and heavy, perfect for reading aloud. Read these books and cherish all the silliness!
I am embarrassed to admit it took me a moment to figure out the title. It all became clear by the second sentence. Hīznobyūtī is not a very handsome baby, and his family all say: “He’s no beauty.” Original titled Okilélé for a similar pun in the French, this charming story has the feeling of an old fairy tale beginning with the hero treated cruelly, continuing with a magical quest, and ending with a princess. Hīznobyūtī is ultimately reunited with his family who have learned to appreciate him. The sad beginning might distress some young listeners. The hero can do nothing right; it feels as though his family doesn’t love him. But that’s part of its charm. What child hasn’t felt rejected and unloved on occasion? Hīznobyūtī prevails, and, like in a fairy tale, lives happily ever after.
My Valley is told in a series of short chapters about an extended family of Twims, adorable creatures, who live in a house tree. The illustrations of the valley in summer, winter, rain, and fog, are reminiscent of Japanese wood block prints, and the children live playful and adventurous lives. Who wouldn’t want to live in a land that has a Singing Stone that grants wishes, a Tree of Secrets that never repeats them, and a Floataboat Tree that travels to Surprise Island which grants a present every day? Perhaps my favorite place is the Theater of Hissy Fits where Twims can throw tantrums and break things. How cathartic! Because of the chapter format, My Valley can be read in one sitting or in small bites which might be better for younger children. This book is in an oversized binding, all the better to enjoy the illustrations.
The adventures of Blaze and his chicklet friends as they plan and throw a party for Bertha Daye (note the pun), are housed in an oversized hard-cover book that is full of visual action and word play. Blaze, a chicklet in a slightly scary red mask, organizes his friends who mine chocolate, slittersplat flour, collect fruit and sugar, and blix the batter to make a castle cake. The party guests are a seek and find of characters familiar to most adults and many children—Betty Boop and Charlie Chaplin, Max from Where the Wild Things Are, Lewis Carroll’s white rabbit and Dumbo are there. I enjoyed looking for the chicklets Pete and Repeat who will make any child laugh and for Fearless Feathergirl who is determined to fly. You won’t put this book down until your arms get tired.
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You can read more about this and other books from Elsewhere Editions in this World Kid Lit interview with Editor and Publicist Sarah Gale and Editor and Development Associate Emma Raddatz from the imprint.
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About Shara Kronmal
Shara Kronmal recently retired from her work as a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist. In her opinion, that’s like being a pediatrician who never has to give shots. If she were a chicklet from Blaze and the Castle Cake for Bertha Daye, she’d be the one reading a book while the other chicklets play in the water. When not reading, Shara writes creative nonfiction and is at work on a middle grade adventure novel. Shara is also an editorial assistant at CRAFT Literary Journal. Her literary assistant is a 24-year-old cat named Dash.
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