Sometimes I read books that make me glad to be alive. Stian Hole’s all-ages picture book, Garmann’s Summer, is one of those stories.
Garmann is six-years-old and about to start school for the first time. He’s frightened–indeed, the story revolves around fear. He discovers that his old aunties are afraid of death, of harsh winters, or, in one aunt’s case, nothing, because her memory is slipping and she only looks ahead. Garmann’s father gets nervous before each of his performances in a symphony, and his mother is frightened to think of Garmann crossing a busy street to school and the dentist.
The story ends with Garmann still afraid, which is an amazing gift. So many books for kids end with perfect comfort. This one says, “Nothing is changed, except the boy now has some understanding of how to cope with fear.” The critical thing.
Hole has some great lines, although there must have also been deft translation. The old aunts “arrive by boat from another time.” The language is direct, just poetic enough to be touching, and willing to address deep emotions in a gentle way.
The illustrations are a perfect complement. Unlike digital paintings that try to mimic traditional tools, which sometimes leave me cold, Hole’s approach to collage makes great use of Photoshop for scale and consistency of visual effect without overdoing it. Many of the images have a subtle humor, and I felt as if Hole were illustrating feelings and memories–not views or “real” landscapes.
I can’t wait to track down his other books. Here’s an interview with Stian Hole if you’d like to know more: http://www.eerdmans.com/Interviews/holeinterview.htm
You must log in to post a comment.