'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Tuesday, 18 June 2024

Review: Glow

On one level Glow is a story about a young girl and a robot. On another level, it's a story about memories and relationships, and grieving the loss of someone.

In a scrap yard filled with abandoned vehicles and all manner of broken items, a young girl tinkers with bits and pieces.

Although the word death is not used, it's fairly clear what's happened.

The narrator describes the journey the girl and her dog take as they walk through the scrap yard, over mountains of junk, across water, searching for memories and leading to a place hiding something special.

Ross Morgan wrote and illustrated Glow. The text is quite sparse and lyrical. The colour palette is predominantly blue, with patches of glowing light. The realistic image of the young girl and her surroundings contrast with the robot-like character that rises, glowing, from the depths of the scrap yard, symbolic of the person no longer with her. 

Glow is a curious mix of reality and imagination. There are some scenes I found reminiscent of the final moments of the movie ET The Extraterrestrial.

A beautifully illustrated and unusual story.

Title: Glow
Author/Illustrator: Ross Morgan
Publisher: Walker Australia Studio, $ 27.99
Publication Date: June 2024
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781760655211
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book