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Feb 06, 2015forbesrachel rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
These are some of the rules of summer, "never step on a snail", and "never talk to a stranger". By themselves, these suggestions and bits of wisdom are the typical fare of most children's books, however, the art adds an extra layer to these lessons by showing some unusual consequences; stepping on a snail causes a tornado! In this book we see the world through the lens of two young boys' imaginations. From their viewpoint the city looks like a surreal urban sci-fi, with strange creatures and machines inhabiting their home instead of adults. Each page looks like a piece from an art gallery with its rich oil paints. Textures come through so sharply that it looks like you could feel their depth despite the smoothness of the paper, and colours consistently match the atmosphere. Within this strange landscape is a story of two brothers enjoying their freedom together. The little one eagerly follows his big brother, yet they eventually find themselves at odds, and just like most siblings, they remain apart until they can forgive each other. Summer is only special when you can share it with another. This simple content is made truly special through the expressive vision of the artist.