Every so often, you run across a children's book that, for one reason or another, simply stuns you. Such is the case with Peter McCarty's Hondo and Fabian. This is a small book that is so simple and at the same time so complex that it almost defies description. I love books like this that have been both written and illustrated by the same individual, and must fully agree with another reviewer here that this particular illustrated story would simply not have worked had the art and writing not been by the same individual. As it is though, the extremely simple story and very simple, yet very, very sophisticated art work blend together to make something almost mystical if not downright magical.
The story, or plot if you will, is so plane and to the point that it is almost nonexistent. Two pets, friends really, are followed in what appears at first to be a very mundane day. The dog goes to the beach and comes home and the cat stays at home with the baby and when the dog, Hondo arrives, the cat, Fabian and dog eat and then go to sleep. Simple, simple, simple...or is it?
Then we have the art. Oh my! Soft colors done with colored pencil on watercolor paper, smooth lines and completely uncluttered pictures...round smooth shapes perfectly blended to make each illustration appear that the only light source is candle light. Almost completely bare rooms in contrast, or in this case, in perfect sync with a bare beach and soft waves. Subdued colors; yet colors that simply pop at you in a sneaky sort of way; each and every picture in this work is a treasure within itself. I promise you that the illustrations in this work will stick with you for a long, long time after reading.
Now take this simple prose...and I stress the word "simple," and blend these words with illustrations that approach the description of genius, and you have some fine book in your hands.
Now keep in mind that there is absolutely nothing, and I mean nothing in this work that is in the least bit exciting. Even the act of the cat unrolling the toilet paper, "Fabian has fun too," is mellow in the extreme. That does not matter though. This is one of those books that were just made to allow the reader to add their own little bit; bits of knowledge, observation and indeed philosophy as they read this to the young child. The first thing that came to my mind and the first thing I discussed when reading this to a wee one was the fact that simple pleasures in life, a walk in the yard, a peek at a good chicken salad sandwich, a slow ride in the care, a joyful run and romp with a friend, a nice nap after eating...all of these things are things of great pleasure, costing very little and oh so much better than the more complex.
I also feel that one of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the appreciation of beauty and this includes art. I have seen over and over again, that those children who are exposed to good art; drawing, paintings, music, sculpture, film, writing, etc. do so much better down the road and have an oh so much better understanding and appreciation for life. I really do not feel that you can start a child down this path at too early an age...the sooner the better as far as I am concerned.
This work adds greatly to those goals mentioned above. This folks, is purely good stuff. I note that the reading level on this one is between the ages of 4 to 8. In my opinion, for what that is worth, a bright two year old would appreciate this as much as any older child. Again though, let me emphasis that this is not one of those books where the author must do all the work.
To take this work to its most effective level is going to require some work on the part of the parent, grandparent or reader. Of course that is what we are being paid for, isn't it! Love this book and love this author. This was a Caldecott Honor Book for 2003 and rightfully so!
Don Blankenship
The Ozarks
Hondo and Fabian
- Accelerated Reading level : 1.5
- Paperback: 40 pages
- Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0805086773
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