Peggy's Impossible Tale

Written by Slavia Miki and Roy Miki

Illustrated by Mariko Ando

Tradewind Books

978-1-926890-21-0

58 pp.

Ages 4-8

June 2021

 

In eighteen short chapters, some as brief as two pages of which one is an illustration, Slavia Miki and Roy Miki tell the story of guinea pig Peggy as she becomes friends with Lisa and becomes part of a family. It's sweet and loving and it's the kind of animal story I can get into.

Told from the guinea pig's perspective, young readers join Peggy as she is adopted from the pet store and taken home. Her squeaks affirm she understands Lisa and, in fact, she teaches the child to understand those squeaks through repetition. Peggy learns to tell time e.g., when Lisa comes home from school, and even how to climb stairs and walk on a leash. From learning about the dangers of electrical outlets to the crow and cat, Peggy proves she's one smart guinea pig and more than worthy of a Special Pets Contest award.

From Peggy's Impossible Tale by Slavia Miki and Roy Miki, illus. by Mariko Ando

For children who've just learned to read, Peggy's Impossible Tale will give them a great story while building their confidence to read chapter books. That same confidence in trying new things and developing an understanding of new concepts is what made Peggy so extraordinary. So Slavia Miki and Roy Miki, who also wrote Dolphin SOS (Tradewind, 2014) together, have charmed little ones with an animal story and given them a message about compassion and friendship that's a little different.

From Peggy's Impossible Tale by Slavia Miki and Roy Miki, illus. by Mariko Ando

Though most early chapter book have some artwork, the illustrations by Vancouver's Mariko Ando, a printmaker, are plentiful. Her artwork graces every double-spread, giving us a sense of Peggy and Lisa's relationship as well as Peggy's spirit. From scenes of Peggy facing a daunting staircase or hiding from the air-sucking machine and cuddling with Lisa, Mariko Ando takes us into Peggy's heart. 

Simple but engaging, Peggy's Impossible Tale shows young readers that the impossible isn't always so, whether for guinea pig or child, and that challenging any improbability can be an accomplishment in itself. And there's a cute guinea pig.

No-Matter-What Friend

by Kari-Lynn Winters

Illustrated by Pierre Pratt

Tradewind Books

978-1-1896580838

32 pp.

Ages 3-6

2014

How Kari-Lynn Winters is able to express the magnitude of a lifetime of friendship in a mere 24 lines, some of only one or two words, is beyond me.  But she does so with her choice of understated vocabulary and its affective quality.

When a boy interrupts his playing with his peers to stop and spend time with his old dog, he enjoys the fond memories of being with his no-matter-what friend.  The turquoise ball from toddler days continues to be an important part of their play, even once the boy is able to ride a bike, climb trees and ski. And still the dog–maybe a cross between a Great Pyrenees and a Newfoundlander–with the jowly face and thoughtful eyes stays by the boy's side.  But Bud is growing old while the boy is growing up, and the boy's beckoning of Bud to come and play must be amended to respect all that the two mean to each other still.  Sweetly, the boy knows how to be a no-matter-what friend to Bud as well.

I became enamoured with Pierre Pratt's unique art with Gustave (Simard, 2014) in which the heavily-inked illustrations helped impose the sombre tone of that picture book. However, in No-Matter-What Friend, Pierre Pratt's ink-outlined elements are softened by lines of diffuse edges and fill of warm colours that complement the friendly nature of the boy-dog relationship. Appropriately, the association of Kari-Lynn Winters' endearing text with Pierre Pratt's art depicts fully the wealth and breadth of the two characters' companionable love.

Caravaggio: Signed in Blood

Written by Mark David Smith

Tradewind Books

978-1-896580-05-0

152 pp.

Ages 11-15

2014

Before seeing the cover, the title Caravaggio Signed in Blood caused me great trepidation, as I anticipated a gory historical novel filled with violence and conflict.  But, though it has some violence and conflict, Caravaggio Signed in Blood is much more. Essentially a fictionalized account of the events which led to the 17th century artist's removal from Rome and the circumstances by which he signs but one canvas amongst his rich collection of artwork, Caravaggio Signed in Blood embeds a story of injustice within the context of Italy's social structure during the first half of the 1600s.

Surprisingly, Caravaggio is not even the main character of the book.  Beppo, a fifteen-year-old boy indentured to the merchant Constantino Sparta, is the book's central character.  Beppo knows Constantino is a bit of a crook, reselling refurbished wine barrels, as well as smuggling illegal editions of popular books, even stealing some himself.  When the powerful Tomassoni brothers, Ranuccio and Giovan, learn of this scheming, they demand Constantino give them a percentage. But Constantino refuses and is murdered by Ranuccio, leaving Beppo accused of the murder.  And then, when Ranuccio threatens Caravaggio who insults him, the artist and expert swordsman defends himself and accidentally kills the arrogant Tomassoni.  Now, Beppo and Caravaggio are on the run together.

With Beppo insisting on serving Caravaggio, the two attempt to evade the vengeful Giovan Tomassoni, moving from Roma to safer locations, and hopeful of Caravaggio continuing to follow his artistic vocation.  Add a love interest, sword-fighting lessons, knights, squires and some Barbary pirates, and the plot conclusion of Caravaggio Signed in Blood is hardly predictable.

Though Tradewind Books is not often on my radar, it should be, having published numerous youngCanLit authors and illustrators whose work I respect, including Beverley Brenna, Sheree Fitch, Kari-Lynn Winters, Rachna Gilmore, Alyxandra Harvey, and James Heneghan, to name just a few.  So I'm pleased that author Mark David Smith reached out for my feedback on Caravaggio Signed in Blood.  There are few books of historical fiction pre-18th century, with most focused on the 19th and first half of the 20th centuries, and fewer yet that can capture the appropriate mood and comportment respectably.  Caravaggio Signed in Blood provides a convincing story about a specific period of Caravaggio's life but enhances that tale by incorporating the swashbuckling and romantic adventure of an indentured teen boy.  Though not a long read, Caravaggio Signed in Blood will definitely grab readers and carry them along on the run with the two passionate Italians as they navigate the treacherous power hierarchy of the time.