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munchkinator's review against another edition
5.0
What the heck. Did not expect to feel so many feels because of this book. It was cute.
stories's review against another edition
Kindness. Live life for today, while you are here. The beauty and wonder of ephemeral art.
Lower primary.
Lower primary.
jessiquie's review against another edition
4.0
Chalk Boy by Margaret Wild and illustrated by Mandy Ord is about a street artist and his relationship with his work. Dealing with themes of friendship, loneliness, connectivity and serving as a commentary about today's social climate/community, there is a lot to unpack in this short, but bittersweet picture book.
I absolutely adored Mandy Ord's illustrations in this book. Right from the cover, her images caught my attention and trapped me in the book. Everyone but chalk boy exists in muted blacks, varying shades of grey and dark browns/reds; chalk boy is a vibrant blue that leaps off the page thanks to his juxtaposition in colour. Although a simple cartoon outline, Ord has packed so much emotion into Chalk Boy's character that it's hard not to be happy with him and scared for him when the rain comes. Chalk Boy might be the so-called cartoon character in the narrative, but he is the only one with any visible sign of emotion.
Margaret Wild has created yet another memorable picture book with Chalk Boy. I've read this book a couple of times now, and every time I try to pinpoint the single take away point from the story, I find so much more inside. Her writing is short and simple, pared back to allow a conversation between artists and his chalk creation. It's full of hope, despair and it's just really moving in the most unexpected way.
We've all seen the chalk street artists out-and-about. I know I've stopped to watch them for a while at festivals and have donated to street artists where possible, but I've never given any thought to the art once I've moved on (apart from asking others did they see the incredible drawing). Chalk Boy appears to highlight this temporary art and his significance to society, and the artist themselves. In a world so obsessed and controlled by fast-moving technology, it's a reminder to stop and appreciate the small, quiet moments in life, because you never know what you might miss. Chalk Boy speaks about the need to really live life, to find your place with those like you and the power of friendship.
Chalk Boy was shortlisted for the CBCA Picture Book of the Year 2019.
This review was originally posted at The Never Ending Bookshelf on 15th August 2019 and can be found here: https://wp.me/p3yY1u-1Oj
I absolutely adored Mandy Ord's illustrations in this book. Right from the cover, her images caught my attention and trapped me in the book. Everyone but chalk boy exists in muted blacks, varying shades of grey and dark browns/reds; chalk boy is a vibrant blue that leaps off the page thanks to his juxtaposition in colour. Although a simple cartoon outline, Ord has packed so much emotion into Chalk Boy's character that it's hard not to be happy with him and scared for him when the rain comes. Chalk Boy might be the so-called cartoon character in the narrative, but he is the only one with any visible sign of emotion.
Margaret Wild has created yet another memorable picture book with Chalk Boy. I've read this book a couple of times now, and every time I try to pinpoint the single take away point from the story, I find so much more inside. Her writing is short and simple, pared back to allow a conversation between artists and his chalk creation. It's full of hope, despair and it's just really moving in the most unexpected way.
We've all seen the chalk street artists out-and-about. I know I've stopped to watch them for a while at festivals and have donated to street artists where possible, but I've never given any thought to the art once I've moved on (apart from asking others did they see the incredible drawing). Chalk Boy appears to highlight this temporary art and his significance to society, and the artist themselves. In a world so obsessed and controlled by fast-moving technology, it's a reminder to stop and appreciate the small, quiet moments in life, because you never know what you might miss. Chalk Boy speaks about the need to really live life, to find your place with those like you and the power of friendship.
Chalk Boy was shortlisted for the CBCA Picture Book of the Year 2019.
This review was originally posted at The Never Ending Bookshelf on 15th August 2019 and can be found here: https://wp.me/p3yY1u-1Oj
ozshark's review against another edition
3.0
I guess this is a story that speaks to the connection artists feel to their art. Interesting enough, but I didn't feel a significant impact.
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