Michelle Cuevas

Living alone in a dark and solitary part of the world, Turtle decided to brighten up his shell, painting it a vivid green. Because he needed to use up the paint, he built a deck as well. Soon he was building an entire town on his shell, until he no longer recognized his own shadow. Taking a well-deserved rest, he slumbered on as the residents of other parts of the world, somehow alerted by Turtle's dream, started moving into the town on his shell. When Turtle awakened, it was to find his show more world transformed...

The second picture-book I have read from author Michelle Cuevas, following upon her The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles, and the third I have read from illustrator Cátia Chien, The Town on the Turtle pairs an engaging, thought-provoking story with striking artwork. Given the illustrator's dedication, to "refugees, immigrants and dreamers," it's difficult not to read the narrative here as an allegory for providing a welcoming and tolerant atmosphere to newcomers to the nation. This interpretation is bolstered by the fact that many indigenous peoples refer to North America as "Turtle Island," leading me to wonder whether Cuevas chose her host creature with this in mind. Leaving aside questions of interpretation - something always open for debate - the story here has a dreamy quality, while the artwork is vivid and bold, grabbing the eye. Recommended to anyone looking for beautiful, thoughtful picture-books that address (arguably) loneliness, community building, and immigration. show less

According to Thoreau, “The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” Apparently so do the mass of shadows. Smoot is a shadow who has been living with a boy who never laughs, never plays, and never does anything wild — and so Smoot is unable to realize his dreams of singing and dancing and bright colours. But Smoot is creative. One day he breaks free of his boy and has an adventure. When other bored shadows see what Smoot has done, they too long to live their dreams. What will show more happen in a world of shadows running wild?

I really enjoyed SMOOT. First, it is a beautiful picture book. The openings in which Smoot is exploring the world on his own are especially appealing and invite a reader to look deeper into the world. Second, the story is subtle but important, encouraging children and adults to imagine what we might do if only we weren’t tied down to our conventional selves. It’s an idea that resonates more with each reading of the text.

This will be a tough book for some parents to read comfortably to their children; I suspect most Canadian and American parents will recognize the stifling conformity that marks Smoot’s boy — and many middle-class children today. SMOOT teaches a valuable lesson about freeing yourself; I hope that lesson reaches both kids and their parents. show less

How do you handle grief? How do you handle a dead dad and everything that reminds you of him?

Instead of making me laugh, this was funny and so sad, and it just got sadder. The way a child like Stella handles her dad being dead is so brutal and close to home. What can you do when all you have is memories?

Maybe you'd be better off without them?

No, not that either.

Stella wants to live in the memory of her father being alive, but sadly she cannot.

All she wants is to send her laughter, and her show more dad's laughter, into space.

Where there is a black hole, one full of wonderful wonderful things.

Bring tissues. 4.5 out of 5 stars. show less

The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles lived a quiet and solitary life beside the sea, opening bottles and delivering the messages contained therein. His wish for a letter of his own seemed destined to go unfulfilled, until an invitation to a seaside party arrived with no name attached. In the process of trying to determine to whom he should deliver the invitation, the Uncorker ended up alerting the entire village to the theoretical party. When said villagers decided to attend, the party, which until show more that point existed only in the words of the anonymous invitation, became a reality on the shore near the Uncorker's home...

A lovely book, one which pairs a gentle, heartfelt tale with absolutely gorgeous illustrations, The Uncorker of Ocean Bottles is a title that rewards a slow, leisurely reading. I enjoyed the story, and appreciated the way in which the Uncorker finds a way to finally connect with the community he had long been serving. But it was Erin Stead's artwork, done in woodblock prints, oil pastels and pencils, that really stole the show, and made this a four-star book for me. The palette is subtle but immensely appealing, with beautiful yellow and blue/greens predominating. The figures are a bit quirky, and quite expressive - I think my favorite was the Uncorker's cat! Recommended to fans of Stead's work, and to anyone looking for sweet seaside stories for younger children. show less