A Different Pond

author: Bao Phi
name: Wayne
average rating: 5.00
book published: 2017
rating: 5
read at: 2017/08/08
date added: 2017/08/08
shelves: children-s
review:
People ask me why I read children's books. It's because of books like 'A Different Pond' by Bao Phi with illustrations by Thi Bui. It is a children's picture book which uses a quiet power to tell a very deep story.

A young boy and his father go fishing. During the course of the trip, the father remembers another fishing trip in another time and country. In both stories, a caught fish means food on the table. Soon the father and son have to go home so that the father can get to work.

The author is an acclaimed poet, and the story feels like it is from his own experience. There is a depth and subtle sadness to this story that most children may not pick up on. A lost brother, a mouth of bad teeth, and an accent that is compared to a muddy river. There is also happiness to be found. A young boy makes a campfire, and a family eats a dinner together.

The art is by a graphic artist that I was not familiar with but I like her work here. The simple style fits the story beautifully. Anything more elaborate would have detracted from this quiet beautiful story of a father and son making and sharing memories.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Capstone Young Readers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.


via Wayne's bookshelf: read http://ift.tt/2vk70xa