Violet Shrink

Written by Christine Baldacchino

Illustrated by Carmen Mok

Groundwood Books

978-1-77306-205-1

32 pp.

Ages 3-7

March 2020

Young people may not be familiar with the term "shrinking violet" which refers to those who are shy and uncomfortable in the limelight. But, thanks to Christine Baldacchino's titular character, they will soon learn to accept children who prefer solitude and quiet as just another difference that makes our world stronger with diversity.

From Violet Shrink by Christine Baldacchino, illus. by Carmen Mok

Like most people, there are some things that Violet likes and some things she doesn't. She doesn't like celery in her soup. She doesn't like brand-new crayons that break the first time they're used. (Who does?) But she also doesn't like parties. She likes some parts of parties, like cake and music, but all together with lots of loud people just makes her stomach ache and her head hurt.

From Violet Shrink by Christine Baldacchino, illus. by Carmen Mok

Her dad may use synonyms for parties like "reception" or "potluck" but ultimately Violet finds herself at parties with her dad telling her to just play with the other children and say hello to the adults.

It's not until she has to attend a "shindig" for her cousin that Violet finds an imaginative tactic to help her get through the event. Sadly her father does not understand, believing that it's good for her to get out among others; that is, until she tells him how she really feels about parties. Finally, he allows her to attend these events in a way that is comfortable for her.

From Violet Shrink by Christine Baldacchino, illus. by Carmen Mok

Introverts and shy persons know the unpleasantness of being thrust into loud and crowded social situations. Extroverts may thrive on social interactions but, for a small portion of the population, attending these events can be painful and anxiety-filled.  It's unfortunate that Violet has to spell it out to her father who should have seen how sensitive his daughter was to these circumstances, instead of finding new ways to trick her into attending events. It's a delicate subject for children to try to be themselves but contrary to requests of parents or teachers. Fortunately author Christine Baldacchino knows how to give children voice through her stories. In her debut picture book Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress (Groundwood, 2014), Christine Baldacchino gave a boy the freedom to enjoy imaginative play that had him sporting a tangerine dress. In Violet Shrink, she allows a little girl to be introverted or shy and still voice her need for quiet and solitude. The text never condemns those that prefer rollicking social events but Christine Baldacchino lets Violet recognize what she needs and then enlist her father's help in meeting those needs.

Carmen Mok's illustrations, a blend of gouache, coloured pencil and graphite pencil, provide a very sombre background to Violet's story, appropriate for a child who is thrust into anxiety-causing situations. Fortunately, there is much that is rosy in her life, from her purple-coloured headphones and the natural world of flowers, water and trees, which Carmen Mok makes colourful and bold and uplifting.

Not all children like being around lots of people and, with Violet Shrink, Christine Baldacchino and Carmen Mok have given introverts and shy children the opportunity to see themselves and be accepted as they are.

Groundwood Books: Spring Book Launch (Toronto)

Groundwood Books

invites everyone

to attend a spring launch of its newest picture books

Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress

by Christine Baldacchino

Illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant
Groundwood Books
978-1-55498-347-6
32 pp.
Ages 4-7

Reviewed here

The Tweedles Go Electric

 

by Monica Kulling 

Illustrated by Marie Lafrance

 Groundwood Books

 978-1-55498-167-0 

32 pp. 

Ages 5-8 

Reviewed here

Norman, Speak!

 

by Caroline Adderson 

Illustrated by Qin Leng 

Groundwood Books 

978-1-55498-322-3 

32 pp. 

Ages 4-7 

Reviewed here

Join authors Christine Baldacchino and Monica Kulling 

and illustrator Qin Leng

for readings, snacks and fun

at

Another Story Bookshop

351 Roncesvalles Avenue

Toronto, ON

on

Saturday, May 24, 2014

2 - 4 p.m.

(Readings at 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.)

Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress

by Christine Baldacchino

Illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant
Groundwood Books
978-1-55498-347-6
32 pp.
Ages 4-7
For release May 2014

It's not surprising that Morris Micklewhite loves the colour tangerine.  It reminds him of his mother's beautiful long hair, the brilliance of the sun, and the richness of a tiger's coat.  And, with the soul of an artist, he is drawn to painting, puzzles, singing, and imaginative play.  When he finds a tangerine dress in the dress-up center at school, Morris puts together an experience for all his creative senses.  A dress of warm tangerine, of swishes and crinkles, that he pairs with different shoes, but especially the ones that click, click, click.  But not everyone appreciates Morris' selection and, though he tries to ignore his peers' words, he is troubled by what he hears and how both the girls and boys exclude him.

Predictably, Morris wants to stay home.  Pretending he has a stomachache, Morris is hopeful of missing school, the place he likes to do so many things.  But,

"When he thought of all the kids in his class
and all the means things they did and said,
his tummy ached for real." (pg. 14)

Delighted to have the time to hang out with the cat, Moo, and read about elephants, Morris starts to feel better, even finding a way ultimately be accepted by the other children and still be true to himself.

Christine Baldacchino strikes the right tone for recognizing how one's differences may be appreciated or not.  She could have played up the gender issue, what boys do and what girls do, but it's much more about just being different and still being true to yourself.  Being different can be such a hardship for many children.  Without recognizing that we are all different, and should be proudly so, many of us just want to fit in, and fitting in often takes the path of conformity.  Morris Micklewhite is no different than other children but he finds a way to embrace his individuality and creativity and share it with others successfully.  There's a lovely fluidity to Isabelle Malenfant's illustrations, undoubtedly due to her responsive use of charcoal, watercolour and pastels, which has already garnered her the 2013 Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize.  With a very simple message dressed in hues of tangerine and the clap, clap, clap of applause, Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress will serve to help those whose imaginations may be haltered or those who cannot accept anything beyond life's typical scenarios. 


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A book trailer uploaded recently by the House of Anansi is available on YouTube and at our book trailers' site here.