Research: Children's Books.
Michael Rosen's Sad Book:
Rosen, Michael & Blake, Quentin. (2004) Michael Rosen's Sad Book. London, Walker Books Ltd.
Another book dealing directly with the topic of death, 'Michael Rosen's sad book' is focused more on dealing with the greif of lose, rather then the act itself. It follows the protagonist (Rosen?) in the aftermath of both his son and mother's deaths. It's an innocent but touching look into the way he deals with his grief (from crying, to screaming in the shower, to remembering the good times shared). Quentin Blake's rough, scratchy illustrations fit the mood and emotion of the book perfectly.
Blake uses colour and space effectivly to project the charactes sense of loss and depression. The first page with the small dark figure silhouetted against the wide open grey expanse of 'the world' really helps bring across how alone Rosen feels after the loss of his son.
Inter-spaced between these dark, emotional pages are Rosen's memories of his son, the illustrations here are lively and bright, but that last, empty frame, is heavily poignant.
Blakes' small introduction of colour (yellow) into the darker greys of his images on these two pages feels hopeful. Sure Rosen's grief is almost over powering at times, but there is always hope (and there are always candles).
Michael Rosen's Sad Book:
Rosen, Michael & Blake, Quentin. (2004) Michael Rosen's Sad Book. London, Walker Books Ltd.
Another book dealing directly with the topic of death, 'Michael Rosen's sad book' is focused more on dealing with the greif of lose, rather then the act itself. It follows the protagonist (Rosen?) in the aftermath of both his son and mother's deaths. It's an innocent but touching look into the way he deals with his grief (from crying, to screaming in the shower, to remembering the good times shared). Quentin Blake's rough, scratchy illustrations fit the mood and emotion of the book perfectly.
Blake uses colour and space effectivly to project the charactes sense of loss and depression. The first page with the small dark figure silhouetted against the wide open grey expanse of 'the world' really helps bring across how alone Rosen feels after the loss of his son.
Inter-spaced between these dark, emotional pages are Rosen's memories of his son, the illustrations here are lively and bright, but that last, empty frame, is heavily poignant.
Blakes' small introduction of colour (yellow) into the darker greys of his images on these two pages feels hopeful. Sure Rosen's grief is almost over powering at times, but there is always hope (and there are always candles).
