The Fog - Hardcover

Maclear, Kyo

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1770494928 ISBN 13: 9781770494923

Publisher: Tundra Books, 2017

Synopsis

A clever and whimsical environmental fable about a bird who is a human-watcher from a dynamic author-illustrator duo.

Warble is a small yellow warbler who lives on the beautiful island of Icyland, where he pursues his hobby of human watching. But on a warm day, a deep fog rolls in and obscures his view. The rest of the birds don't seem to notice the fog or the other changes Warble observes on the island. The more the fog is ignored, the more it spreads. When a Red-hooded Spectacled Female (Juvenile) appears, Warble discovers that he's not the only one who notices the fog. Will they be able to find others who can see it too? And is the fog here to stay? Kyo Maclear's witty story, brought to life with the delicate, misty artwork of Kenard Pak, is a poignant yet humorous reminder of the importance of environmental awareness.

About this title

About the Author

KYO MACLEAR is a critically acclaimed, award-winning author for big people and little people. Her previous picture books for children include The Liszts, The Good Little Book (which was shortlisted for the Governor General's Award) and Julia, Child. The Letter Opener, her first novel for adults, won the K.M. Hunter Artists Award and was shortlisted for the Amazon.ca Books in Canada First Novel Award. Her follow-up novel, Stray Love, appeared on several notable "Best of 2012" lists. Kyo's newest book for adults, Birds Art Life: A Field Guide to the Small and Significant, will be published in January 2017. She lives in Toronto with singer and composer David Wall and their two children. The author lives in Toronto, ON.

KENARD PAK is an animator and illustrator. He has worked as a visual development artist for Dreamworks, Walt Disney Feature Animation, PDI Dreamworks and Laika. He has illustrated several picture books, including the acclaimed Have You Heard the Nesting Bird?, The Dinner That Cooked Itself and Flowers Are Calling. Ken lives in foggy San Francisco with his wife and three cats.Kenard Pak lives in San Francisco, CA.

Reviews

PreS-Gr 2—A small yellow warbler lives on an icy island in the far north. Warble is different from the other birds; he is a serious human-watcher ("#671 BEHATTED BIBLIOPHILIC FEMALE," "#672 BALD-HEADED GLITZY MALE"). One day a warm fog rolls in, and it stays. Warble worries about this change but fails to galvanize his other feathered neighbors, who cannot be bothered. The situation grows worse, and Warble is more isolated and concerned until he spots a new human, "#673 RED-HOODED SPECTACLED FEMALE (JUVENILE)." The two join forces ("CHIRP! CHIRP!" "I'M LISTENING!"). Together, after launching many folded paper boats, they manage to locate other allies around the world—a note from a walrus in eastern Canada, one from a musk ox in Norway, and one from some cats in England. These creatures, too, see the fog and want to fix it, and thus the fog begins to lift and the world around them grows clearer. The pencil, watercolor, and digital illustrations capture the spirit of the story, the beauty of the landscape, and the haunting fog while also adding just the right amount of humor to balance the serious theme. The endpapers cataloguing Warble's human sightings are a treat. The parable-style tale keeps the solution metaphorical and the message clear. VERDICT This thoughtful selection, full of amusing details, has much to offer readers and listeners who are thinking about the importance of the environment and the need to come together to care for it.—Julie Roach, Cambridge Public Library, MA

Edition details

• Publisher: Tundra Books
• Publication date: 2017
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1770494928
• ISBN 13: 9781770494923
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Pak Kenard
• Number of pages: 48