The cover
alone, with a large clump of black (in the form of Jo’s furry, feathered head)
amidst a rainbow of colour and texture, is enough to cause a double take. A tad
risky for a children’s picture book - yet so perfect.
When Jo
first saw the No, Jo didn’t know what it was.
‘Shoo, No!’
said Jo.
The No
didn’t go.
Instead, it stays by Jo’s side through the story, morphing in terms of colour, shape and texture into every situation that Jo wanders into. Jo is stuck with the No, which becomes an integral part of Jo’s life.
The No
character is a marvellous visual creation, expertly rendered using a variety of
analogue and digital artistic media. I especially love the loose, scribbled
bits!
In this book about personal choice and empowerment, we see Jo’s journey through innocence, curiosity, resistance and isolation until finally, we witness their liberation in opening up to change. (And yes, Jo is a non-gender-specific half-bird half-human, which doesn’t directly impact the narrative but nonetheless feels warm and inclusive).
The words
of this fable are clear and pure. The illustrations, mighty. This is no
surprise when you consider that it’s come from the innovative Dirt Lane Press
and award winning creative duo, of Kyle Mewburn and Judy Watson.
The end
papers (those pages at the front and back of the book that are given over to
atmosphere and decoration) are a wonder – intricate, abstract splotches and
splashes, with a strong sense of pattern, texture and interesting colour.
The
characters, Jo included, exist in various states of visual definition. From the
outset we are immersed in a sense of visual shadow play containing gorgeous,
mysterious and unusual beings.
This picture
book world is constantly surprising, with characters who do recognisable things
in landscapes that are startling in their beauty, and quite often, terribly
mysterious.
Although
Jo And The No is at heart a story for all ages, it’s resplendent telling in
both words and illustrations will speak with a special, deep resonance to the
very young.
Do yourself
a favour!
Author: Kyle Mewburn
Illustrator: Judy Watson
Publisher: Dirt Lane, $28.95
Publication Date: 1 March 2025
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781923044265
For Ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book
