Reach for the Stars and Other Advice for Life's Journey by Serge Bloch
| Reach for the Stars and Other Advice for Life's Journey by Serge Bloch | |
|
| |
| Category: For Sharing | |
| |
Reviewer: Sue Magee
 | |
| Summary: A delightful mix of line drawings and photography gives some thought-provoking illustrations for child in the 4+ age group to share with parents. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 32 | Date: March 2012 |
| Publisher: Sterling | |
| ISBN: 978-1402797590 | |
|
Share on: | |
|
| |
A young boy and Roger, his dog, receive some traditional advice about how they should live their lives. We've all heard the sentiments (and being honest - not always in the best of circumstances) many times but Serge Bloch gives us his interpretation of the words which we hear so often. Boy (for he has no other name) is told that he has his whole life ahead of him - and gazes at the future through a telescope. It's the first of almost thirty delightful illustrations designed to make us think about what we're saying.
My favourite is ...it'll be a bumpy ride, with many forks in the road as Boy, in his car, attempts to navigate along the prongs of a large fork, artfully (or mischievously) placed in his path. It's a combination of minimalist line drawings and striking photography and it's impossible not to smile. All the illustrations are whimsical, witty and the affection in them smiles through: iIt would be a hard heart which got to the end of the book without feeling better about life.
I did wonder about the virtue of bulk deliveries of clichés to children in the four-plus age group, but once I thought about it I realised that this isn't really a book designed to be read by a child, but rather to be shared between adult and child. There is just so much to discuss - beginning with the pictures themselves (you see more on a second reading!) and then moving on to the sentiment behind the sayings.
It will be Easter before long and this would make a much better present for a child than yet more unnecessary chocolate. It will last longer, for one thing, and if you're looking for something which can be posted without costing more than the contents this could be the best answer. It would also make an amusing present for an adult, which is exactly what I'm going to do with my review copy!
I'd like to thank the publishers for sending a copy to the Bookbag. You cheered my morning!
It's rather different, but if this book appeals to you then we think that you might also enjoy Where is Fred? by Edward Hardy and Ali Pye.
Please share on: 
Facebook, 
Twitter and
Instagram
You can read more book reviews or buy Reach for the Stars and Other Advice for Life's Journey by Serge Bloch at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy Reach for the Stars and Other Advice for Life's Journey by Serge Bloch 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.
