Chalk Boy

Description

SHORT-LISTED: CBCA Picture Book of the Year, 2019 Barnaby is a pavement artist. This morning he started drawing me. I have a head that can think, eyes that can see, ears that can hear and legs that can run. Best of all, I have a heart that can feel. Thank you, Barnaby. Award-winning writer Margaret Wild compresses epic themes into a poetic, poignant story, vividly brought to life by Mandy Ord's distinctive, dynamic art.

MARGARET WILD's thoughtful, award-winning children's books have been published with great success in many countries. They include Old Pig (shortlisted, CBCA Picture Book of the Year), Fox (winner, CBCA Picture Book of the Year), The Dream of the Thylacine (honour book, CBCA Picture Book of the Year), and On the Day You Were Born, all illustrated by Ron Brooks, plus many more. Margaret has been the recipient of the Nan Chauncy Award and the Lady Cutler Award for her contributions to Australian Literature. MANDY ORD has had a passion for comics for as long as she can remember. Her involvement with the local underground comic community has inspired the production of a range of self-published mini-comics, as well as contributions to local and international comic anthologies. She calls Melbourne home and finds endless inspiration within it. Her books include Rooftops, NY and Sensitive Creatures.

'Chalk Boy started a conversation that went on for days...Like the best simple stories, this one cuts deep...It's a modern fable about how we treat people. This book reminds me of the work of Shaun Tan and Sonya Hartnett and of the art of John Brack.' Stephen Romei, The Australian 'Is Chalk Boy meant to be real? The poignant conclusion allows the reader to decide. There is an amazing amount of emotion conveyed in his few words and conversations with Barnaby. Every word has been carefully chosen; nothing is superfluous. This is a picture book to ponder over: a simple and effective text, an imaginative storyline and illustrations whose background detail invites young readers to explore. It encourages visual literacy and discussion.' Helen Purdie, Magpies