Alone in the Forest - Hardcover

Wolf, Gita; Anastasio, Andrea

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 8192317153 ISBN 13: 9788192317151

Publisher: Tara Books, 2013

Synopsis

"The terrifying experience of being alone in the woods is rendered through the eyes of a young Indian boy. . . A familiar story arc conveyed through traditional art captivates with its freshness and originality." - Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews

"Shyam’s stylized, boldly outlined forms brim with energy... A simple, satisfying story, much enriched by its cultural grounding and handsome art." - Horn Book Magazine

"This exquisite piece of storytelling speaks both to our crippling fear of the unfamiliar and our ability to transcend it and emerge somehow enriched by that experience." - Brain Pickings

One day Musa sets off from his village to collect firewood. It is the first time he has ventured out alone. Suddenly he hears a loud noise and becomes very afraid. Was the sound a wild boar? A whole herd of wild boars? Or something even worse?

Typography, book design, contemporary tribal artwork, and narrative merge in this powerful yet sensitive visual story for children about fear. Artwork by the talented Bhajju Shyam, the celebrated Gond folk artist from India, whose previous books include The Night Life of Trees and That's How I See Things.

US Grade Level Equivalent: 1, US Guided Reading Level: I

About this title

About the Author

Gita Wolf is a highly original and creative voice in contemporary Indian publishing, and the founder of Tara Books. She is known for her interest in exploring and experimenting with the form of the book. Gita has written over twenty books for children and adults, many of which have been translated into multiple languages and recognized internationally.

Andrea Anastasio is an artist and designer who was born in Rome in 1961. He studied Philosophy, Asian studies, and Street Theatre, before going on to start a very successful design practice.
Andrea’s connection to India is a long one, going back to 1991 when he began researching rural architecture, folk art and religion. He now regularly commutes between India and Italy. He is currently working on several new projects with Tara Books.

Bhajju Shyam is widely accepted as the finest living Gond tribal artist in India. Bhajju’s intricate and colorful work is well known throughout India and has been exhibited in the U.S., U.K., Germany, Holland and Russia. Alone in the Forest is Bhajju’s seventh book with Tara Books, and his fourth as a solo artist. From the walls of his tribal village home to international acclaim, Bhajju’s has been an incredible creative journey.

Reviews

PreS-Gr 1–In the straightforward style of the traditional oral storyteller comes this simple tale of a boy learning to conquer his worst fear. One afternoon, when his mother is feeling sick, young Musa assures her that he can gather firewood from the forest. But the forest is dark, and, when he hears “out of nowhere, a great noise… crashing through the trees,” the terrified child leaps into a hollow tree trunk, where he stays, crouching and trembling; thinking scary thoughts; feeling lost and alone. Later, when all is quiet and calm, a tiny squirrel and a friendly cow help him regain his self-assurance and he returns to the village. Painted in the primitive folk-art style of the Gond people, who live in the hills of central India, the extraordinary illustrations fill each page with bold, muted colors and meld perfectly with this well-told tale. The almond-shaped eyes of the flat, childlike images of people and animals that appear on every page are repeated in several huge representations throughout the story. People, animals, trees, clothing, and houses are highly detailed, patterned, and textured in black line. Illustrations and text vary in size and in placement on the page, the text often appearing in circles of yellow sun or blue shadow. Even the darkest scenes have touches of color. Musa's fear of facing the unknown without his mother's protection is one to which most young children will surely relate.–Susan Scheps, formerly at Shaker Public Library, OHα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Edition details

• Publisher: Tara Books
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 8192317153
• ISBN 13: 9788192317151
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Shyam Bhajju
• Number of pages: 40