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A review by katykelly
Paper Boat, Paper Bird by David Almond
4.0
Making connections, a beautiful new cultural context.
I read Skellig and My Name is Mina many years ago now, so I cannot recall the stories/characters well. This could have been any young girl however, I don't think you need to know Almond's previous work to enjoy this slight volume.
Based on experiences the writer had with his own daughter, Mina and her mother are visiting Japan. They watch a woman making paper birds, are given one, Mina writes her name on it and frees it... and a Japanese boy finds it.
This gives the reader some insights in Japan, scenes of the cities there, simple vocabulary, customs, sights. And a story about looking for beauty, finding connections and people finding each other.
I liked the colour palette, Mina and her mother look very similar to those drawn as native Japanese, which I think is making a point.
It's a peaceful story, quite inward looking and calm, without making big points it quietly takes us on a tour and makes us ponder.
A very quick read, it might go over some heads, but it is rather lovely to look at and consider.
Adults and children above age 9 might appreciate this.
I read Skellig and My Name is Mina many years ago now, so I cannot recall the stories/characters well. This could have been any young girl however, I don't think you need to know Almond's previous work to enjoy this slight volume.
Based on experiences the writer had with his own daughter, Mina and her mother are visiting Japan. They watch a woman making paper birds, are given one, Mina writes her name on it and frees it... and a Japanese boy finds it.
This gives the reader some insights in Japan, scenes of the cities there, simple vocabulary, customs, sights. And a story about looking for beauty, finding connections and people finding each other.
I liked the colour palette, Mina and her mother look very similar to those drawn as native Japanese, which I think is making a point.
It's a peaceful story, quite inward looking and calm, without making big points it quietly takes us on a tour and makes us ponder.
A very quick read, it might go over some heads, but it is rather lovely to look at and consider.
Adults and children above age 9 might appreciate this.