Jane, The Fox and Me by Fanny Britt and Isabelle Arsenault

From TheBookbag
Jump to navigationJump to search


Jane, The Fox and Me by Fanny Britt and Isabelle Arsenault

1406353043.jpg
Buy Jane, The Fox and Me by Fanny Britt and Isabelle Arsenault at Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com

Category: Graphic Novels
Rating: 4.5/5
Reviewer: Robert James
Reviewed by Robert James
Summary: Beautifully illustrated and moving children's graphic novel about a bullied girl finding solace in her favourite book. Highly recommended.
Buy? Yes Borrow? Yes
Pages: 104 Date: February 2014
Publisher: Walker Books
ISBN: 978-1406353044

Share on: Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn



Bullied at school and lonely because her former friends don't talk to her, Helene loses herself in the pages of Jane Eyre. To a girl who thinks of herself as fat and plain, Jane's story gives her hope - but can she find happiness? And how will a trip to a nature camp affect her? Can it give her the confidence and courage to change the way she sees herself?

While this is a well-written look at bullying and Fanny Britt really captures the poignancy of Helene's despair in her sparse, well-chosen words, it's Isabelle Arsenault's illustrations for this graphic novel which make it a must-read. She particularly shines in her use of colour - for much of the book, there's a muted palette for all of the sections about Helene's life, with just flashes of brightness interspersed as she reads Jane Eyre. Then there's a slight, but hugely important, shift in the colours towards the end of the book. I won't go into details for risk of spoilers, but it's brilliantly handled. It's also heartbreaking to see how Helene pictures herself as being overweight because of the taunts of her fellow pupils. The relationships between her and her tormentors, and her and her mother, are superbly portrayed. There's a particular scene when she and her mum go on a shopping expedition which doesn't go to plan which is absolutely stunning, both in terms of the writing and the artwork.

I think this is an important book which will be enjoyed by both children and adults. In particular, it's one that parents may well want to talk about with younger children to help them if they're struggling themselves with issues about friendship or body image. Highly recommended as an excellent read, I'd love to read more from Britt and/or Arsenault.

One of our favourite children's graphic novels recently has been the outstanding Hilda and the Bird Parade by Luke Pearson. We can also recommend Earthling! by Tim Rummel and Mark Fearing.

Please share on: Facebook Facebook, Follow us on Twitter Twitter and Follow us on Instagram Instagram

Buy Jane, The Fox and Me by Fanny Britt and Isabelle Arsenault at Amazon You can read more book reviews or buy Jane, The Fox and Me by Fanny Britt and Isabelle Arsenault at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
Buy Jane, The Fox and Me by Fanny Britt and Isabelle Arsenault at Amazon You can read more book reviews or buy Jane, The Fox and Me by Fanny Britt and Isabelle Arsenault at Amazon.com.

Comments

Like to comment on this review?

Just send us an email and we'll put the best up on the site.