It is a story about ‘being prepared for the worst and hoping for the best.’
It’s always a joy to be surprised – astounded, even - by creative offerings that speak directly to both the head and the heart.
This book from Dirt Lane Press is one
such offering. From the first lines of Paper Flower Girl, there’s a
strong, true voice that rings out and compels us to strap in for the ride.
‘Down there
the plain.
Up there
the hill.’
These
opening lines along with a powerful illustration, instantly transport us into a
new and spellbinding world. Word by word, image by image, the landscape is laid
out for us to traverse.
The Paper
Flower Girl makes unique and intricate flowers from paper. When the Giant from
the Hill demands that she work for him, her flowers change and are no longer so
special. Ultimately, she is cast out of the Giant’s land, and so she goes back
to making her unique, intricate flowers but in a way that is even better than
before - because now they contain new elements of her experience and expanded
soul.
In
presenting universal issues that are relevant to so many areas of life
today, the merging of written and visual language in this book is sublime. Somehow
in Paper Flower GIrl, words paint pictures and pictures convey words.
The
narrative brings a poetic sensibility that does not necessarily rhyme but
rather sparkles, radiating little tendrils of wonder and contentment along the
way. Rhythm, repetition and stunning imagery encourage the reader to think
beyond the initial meanings of words.
The artwork, with its changing colour palette and black & white elements,
reflects and enhances the narrative mood. It also layers of additional meaning
into the story itself by offering unusual tangents and perspectives.
This book
will reward re-reading time after time, such is its depth and scope. It comes
as no surprise that at the time of writing, Paper Flower Girl is an
honour book, shortlisted for CBCA picture book of the year.
It’s not necessarily an easy book, but it is definitely extraordinary.
Highly recommended.Title: Paper Flower Girl
Illustrator: Mateja Jager
Publisher: Dirt Lane $26.95
Publication Date: 1 October 2023
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780645352399
For Ages: 4 - 8
Type: Picture Book