Oren Lavie

Slightly taller than the average picture book, with text slightly larger as well, perhaps it's the international nature of this book (with an author from Israel and an illustrator from Germany, translated into English) that accounts for these small differences that draw me from my expectations. We begin with a bear sho seems to imagine himself into existence. He learns, from a piece of paper he finds in his pocket, clues to his identity. As he goes off to discover if he is indeed himself, he wanders through the forest and encounters a handful of odd creatures along the way. The story is fun and sweet, if quirky. Many images (of trees and flowers and other plants) repeat throughout as if digitally rubber stamped with different ink colors and in different sizes. Some pages would seem to have many layers stamped one upon the next which add to the feeling of the denseness of the forest. Interesting details like these and the sideways spread of the Compass Tree make this an unusual picture book that will confuse some and delight many.

*Many thanks to Akashic Books and LibraryThing for an advance reading copy.*… (altro)