So I have a new little girl at home and a lot more chaos in my life. But I’m trying to get back on the book reviewing track when I can spare both hands for the keyboard. One of the wonderful books that’s come into our home to celebrate our new addition is a book I’ve known about and read, but didn’t have an excuse to buy for us until we had a little girl of our own. The book is Blueberry Girl by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Charles Vess, and I can’t think of a better book to give new parents when they are welcoming a little girl into their family.
Gaiman is, of course, better known for his adult fantasy and horror writing, and even his children’s books tend toward the creepy and outlandish. Someone who’s read the Sandman graphic novels or even Coraline might be surprised to find something like Blueberry by the author. It’s still got Gaiman’s flavor to it—this isn’t a sugary book about princesses and bows and glitter. It isn’t cute or cuddly, and it isn’t at all pink. It is, in fact, a very adult wish as to what the "blueberry girl” may encounter and become in her life. Gaiman begins with an invocation “Ladies of light and Ladies of darkness and Ladies of never-you-mind . . .” For the story of it how the poem came to be and the book came to follow, here’s a link to Gaiman’s blog: http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2009/02/this-is-prayer-for-blueberry-girl.html
Gaiman’s gift is words and he uses them to powerful effect. Every time I read this book, I tear up, even cry a little. But what makes this all the more powerful are the illustrations by Charles Vess. The mesh between word and image makes for a completely stunning, heart touching, inspiring, gorgeous whole. It’s a book for parents and adults more than for youngsters, but it’s the kind of book that solidifies the wishes a parent would have for a daughter, whether she be newborn, ten years old or twenty-five. I’ve read it softly to my newborn daughter, still marveling that Gaiman managed to scribe something that voices my own wishes for my own daughter. She may not understand much of the poem until years from now, but I’ll keep this book for her until she does, and be delighted to share it with her in that future time.
I can’t help but want to share this book with others. My new niece was born just a few days before my own daughter, and I’ve made certain her mother has a copy. This book makes for a great gift, especially if you’re looking for something slightly out of the ordinary.
Gaiman is, of course, better known for his adult fantasy and horror writing, and even his children’s books tend toward the creepy and outlandish. Someone who’s read the Sandman graphic novels or even Coraline might be surprised to find something like Blueberry by the author. It’s still got Gaiman’s flavor to it—this isn’t a sugary book about princesses and bows and glitter. It isn’t cute or cuddly, and it isn’t at all pink. It is, in fact, a very adult wish as to what the "blueberry girl” may encounter and become in her life. Gaiman begins with an invocation “Ladies of light and Ladies of darkness and Ladies of never-you-mind . . .” For the story of it how the poem came to be and the book came to follow, here’s a link to Gaiman’s blog: http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2009/02/this-is-prayer-for-blueberry-girl.html
Gaiman’s gift is words and he uses them to powerful effect. Every time I read this book, I tear up, even cry a little. But what makes this all the more powerful are the illustrations by Charles Vess. The mesh between word and image makes for a completely stunning, heart touching, inspiring, gorgeous whole. It’s a book for parents and adults more than for youngsters, but it’s the kind of book that solidifies the wishes a parent would have for a daughter, whether she be newborn, ten years old or twenty-five. I’ve read it softly to my newborn daughter, still marveling that Gaiman managed to scribe something that voices my own wishes for my own daughter. She may not understand much of the poem until years from now, but I’ll keep this book for her until she does, and be delighted to share it with her in that future time.
I can’t help but want to share this book with others. My new niece was born just a few days before my own daughter, and I’ve made certain her mother has a copy. This book makes for a great gift, especially if you’re looking for something slightly out of the ordinary.
Enjoy!
Happy Reading! ^_^ Shanshad
Blueberry Girl
by Neil Gaiman
Charles Vess (Illustrator)
Reading Information
Paperback: 32 pages
ISBN-10: 0060838108
Reading Level: generic 2
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