I really love the recent trend towards video trailers for books, and this one, for Neil Gaiman’s children’s book Blueberry Girl, which came out in March, is no exception. Recent Newbery Medal-winner Neil Gaiman is a longtime friend of alterna-pop songstress Tori Amos. It’s been rumoured that some iterations and renditions of the Sandman character Delirium were inspired by Amos. As well, several of Amos’ songs make reference to Gaiman, including Tear in Your Hand, which was first recorded on a demo tape that served as the original means to an introduction between Amos and Gaiman in 1991.
Now, 18 years later, the two are old, close friends, and Gaiman is godfather of Amos’ daughter, Tash, born in 2000. Blueberry Girl is a gorgeous children’s picture book, illustrated by Charles Vess from a poem that Gaiman wrote for and dedicated to Tash:
Parts of it made me feel quite trembly in the lower-lip region, personally.
Words can be worrisome, people complex;
Motives and manners unclear.
Grant her the wisdom to choose her path right,
Free from unkindness and fear.
Let her tell stories, and dance in the rain,
Somersault, tumble and run;
Her joys must be high as her sorrows are deep,
Let her grow like a weed in the sun.
….
Truth is a thing she must find for herself,
Precious and rare as a pearl.
Give her all these and a little bit more -
Gifts for a Blueberry Girl.
What a lovely poem, and Vess’ illustrations absolutely bring the text to life. I think I’ll be buying this for future little girls coming into my life.
