The Call of the Swamp - Hardcover

Caĺ, Davide

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0802854869 ISBN 13: 9780802854865

Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2017

Synopsis

A sweetly offbeat adoption story

Boris is a normal kid: he goes to school and rides his bike and climbs trees, just like all the other children. It doesn't matter that he has scales and gills, or that his parents found him in a swamp when he was just a baby. But one day Boris catches the scent of his old home, and suddenly he's not quite sure where he belongs. He journeys to the swamp, filled with questions, and eventually discovers the only answer he needs.

From the creators of The Queen of the Frogs comes an enchanting, nuanced story about adoption and family.

About this title

About the Author

Davide Cali began writing for children in 2000 and has since published over sixty books, including The Queen of the Frogs (Eerdmans). His work has been published in twenty-five countries, and he has won numerous awards, including the Baobab Prize in 2005 and a BolognaRagazzi Special Award in 2006. Visit his website at www.davidecali.com.

Marco Somà was born in Italy in 1983. He studied painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Cuneo and is now a professor of illustration at the same academy. His artwork has been selected for exhibitions at the Bologna Book Fair, and in 2015 he recieved the Emanuele Luzzati Prize for the Italian edition of The Queen of the Frogs.

Reviews

PreS-Gr 2—Readers will never encounter a more likable and endearing creature than this swamp baby. Neither had Boris's parents, who struggled with infertility and happened upon him during a remote drive. "When the couple found a newborn at the edge of the swamp, it seemed like a gift from heaven, and they paid no attention to the fact that he had gills like a fish." Boris's sinuous sea-fanlike hair and his mangrove in a jar don't hinder him from making friends, attending school, and doing other kid things. But the mangrove begins losing leaves and the scent of the swamp lures Boris. He begins asking questions like, "Why did you take me home, Mom?" and "Why didn't you leave me where I was?" A return to the swamp is predictable in a way that will make young children feel safe, but adventuresome at the same time. Boris eventually comes to the profound realization, "Maybe our family is simply the ones we love? And the ones who love us back?" Translated from Italian, Watkinson's work feels smooth and natural without any bumps or glitches. Somà brings rich golden and deep teal hues to to the gray-browns of the swamp. Muted earth tones feel magical rather than muddy. Parents will hold back the tears as mom and dad give Boris the space to discover his identity and little ones will relate to stretching one's wings and learning to make choices. VERDICT At home on the shelf with Suzanna Lopez's The Best Family in the World, Cali's tender text is an even more honest look at the real emotions of adoptees. Best shared one-on-one.—Kristy Kilfoyle, Canterbury School, Fort Myers, FL

Edition details

• Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0802854869
• ISBN 13: 9780802854865
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Somà Marco
• Number of pages: 32