Isabelle Simler

The remarkable homes of twenty-seven different animals are described and depicted in this gorgeous picture book from French author/illustrator Isabelle Simler. Each two-page spread highlights a different animal, from the Eurasian penduline tit to the Sumatran orangutan, describing in poetic language how they create their dwelling places. Beautiful full-page artwork, which looks to have been done in a scratchboard style, depicts the animals and their domiciles. The book closes with two pages show more of further information about each animal included, a glossary, and a list of further resources...

Originally published in France as Maison, this lovely book is the second title I have read from Simler, following upon her earlier Plume, which was selected as a New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book in 2017. I am immensely glad I sought it out, after being reminded of Simler's work recently, as I found it both an informative read and an aesthetic delight. The artwork and design in this one are outstanding, with gorgeous visuals, and a pleasing layout on each page. Many of the animals profiled were familiar to me, but some were not, and that too was a pleasure. An American book of this nature would probably focus on more North American animals, but as this is a European title, Eurasian species are better represented (i.e., the Eurasian beaver instead of the North American one) as you would expect. I think this is very positive, and an argument for reading a more international selection of animal and ecology-focused books. I'm always a proponent of more children's books being translated, and particularly look for translated children's literature, so I was pleased to see that this was one of this year's Honor Books, for the Mildred L. Batchelder Award, which recognizes the best translated books for young people. Highly recommended to all young animal lovers, as well as to anyone who appreciates beautiful picture book art. At sixty-eight pages it's long for a picture book, but it can be dipped into in sessions, for those not able to read all the way through. show less

The author/illustrator begins by explaining she wanted to put herself in the place of animals that occupy homes so different from those of humans, yet fulfilling many of the same functions. She tells us:

“To explore these unique places, I've had
to bend, and shrink, and squeeze, and
let myself be transformed in weird and
wonderful ways.”

She then takes us on a tour of 27 homes occupied by creatures ranging from tiny weaver ants to Sumatran orangutans.

Her words are translated from the show more French by Vineet Lal, who manages to reflect the sensibility and beautiful imagery of the original text. The poetry is free verse, meaning that it does not rhyme, but is still clearly an artistic rather than a narrative expression of ideas. For example, about the “silky apartment” of the comet moth, the author writes:

"My satin pouch
is pierced by the night,
and the tropical rains
pass through without flooding it.
This is a membrane-house
where I remain in seclusion
and from which I will emerge
metamorphosed.”

The showy cross orbweaver spider says “I live in the vertical plane…in [a] satin-smooth spiral . . .”

The tiny hummingbird explains it has a “doll’s teacup of a nest” while the common octopus begins:

“I’ve donned my ocean floor dress,
and under a ceiling decorated with shells
I unwind on my couch of fine sand . . . "

Many of the passages, like that about passerine birds, offer for reflective readers lessons in living together. Others explain how some animals manage solitary survival. Certainly there is much to discuss and learn about in addition to the pure aesthetic enjoyment of the words and illustrations.

At the end of the book, the author provides thumbnail portraits of the 27 animals featured in the book; a glossary; and recommended resources for more information.

The digitally produced cross-hatched drawings demonstrate the author’s dedicated observation of a variety of creatures. These admirably include some under-appreciated species (such as the orbweaver spider) that often inspire fear or loathing rather than admiration for their beauty and contributions to the biosphere.

Evaluation: This science book, recommended for readers aged 5 and up, is rich with poetic verse and mesmerizing art. Children will want to return to it often to learn more about the creatures introduced by Simler. They can be encouraged to contemplate how their own living conditions compare, and what that suggests to them about the essentials for existence. show less

This is a beautiful book. I requested it in the early reviewers raffle while I was pregnant. It took months to arrive and it finally did, on the day we came home with our son for the first time. The illustrations are gorgeous, moving from lighter blue to inky blue as the night in the story moves in, and the text is simple and straightforward, not cheesy. This is now one of my favorite children's books. It will definitely become a staple of bedtime reading.

This beautifully illustrated picture book celebrates the color blue. While I would appreciate the omission of the blue racer because of my phobia of snakes, young readers will enjoy this volume that includes all sorts of things from nature that are blue.