The Whisper by Pamela Zagarenski beautifully illustrates the power of imagination.
A girl borrows a book from her teacher, but the words all fall out on the way home. At first, she is disappointed, but then she imagines stories for each picture.
The following day, fox returns the words to her and asks for help reaching some grapes in return. If you’re paying attention, you’ll notice this is a fox from Aesop’s Fables who manages to rewrite her own story by telling it differently.
“…but this fox is of the very clever kind, so she imagined her story differently…”
In a way, The Whisper provides an example of what you can do with a wordless book.
But in another way, The Whisper hints at what you can do with your life. Don’t like your situation? Don’t sulk and complain about it (like the fox in Aesop’s Fable). Do something to change your story. This is a powerful lesson for children, especially those prone to whining.
Zagarenski’s illustrations are simply beautiful. Each page is so full of details that any child could, like the girl, come up with their own stories for each picture. Zagarenski uses a recurring symbol of a crown throughout the book, which seems to represent imagination. (Her paintings are, in fact, full of imagery, and I won’t pretend to know what it all represents).
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What picture book do you love? I’d love to hear about it!
Very cool! We loved Sleep Like a Tiger — I’ll have to check this one out too! I recently discovered the picture book “Feathers: Not just for Flying” by Melissa Stewart and absolutely fell in love with it. I wrote about it in this post if you’re interested.
Yes, Feathers: Not Just for Flying is a great book! I haven’t seen A Nest is Noisy yet, but I love that series! I’ll have to check it out.
Love reading Robert McCloskey books out loud!
Robert McCloskey is my favorite! (I think Blueberries for Sal is the perfect picture book)
This one looks really good. I’ll have to see if your library has it. I also love children’s books, so I’m excited to find your blog! I’m just getting started in the book blogging world, but I am having a blast with it! I think it will show up when I post this comment–anyway, you are welcome to stop by for a visit anytime!
I’m going to add you to my reading list. 🙂
Always happen to meet another book-lover and book-blogger! 🙂
This book looks really, really good! Thanks so much for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday!
Tina
Thanks, Tina! Hope you can find a copy 🙂
Beautiful book! I am participating in a reading challenge to read 1000 picture books in 2016. I can’t wait to share this one with my kiddos :).
Wow, 1000 books is an awesome challenge! 🙂 I hope y’all reach it!
Oh I just love your page! I’ll have to look for this book. My son would love it. 🙂
Thanks! I hope he enjoys it! 🙂
I loved the lesson you pulled from reading this book. Thanks so much for sharing on Literacy Musing Mondays.
Thanks, Mary!