João by a Thread is an intriguing children’s book that allows a child to use their imagination as the story unfolds. There is room for interpretation which makes this story unique and one that we will be re-reading to discuss.
– Momma Braga
Synopsis
As João tucks under a lovingly woven quilt, he asks himself: So it’s just me now? He curls up, getting cozy in bed, and soon the world of his dreams unspools on the page. The blanket in his bed unravels into deep rivers, lakes, valleys, reservoirs, mountain ranges, fishing nets full of tadpoles and gaping holes, until what’s left is just one long thread.
When he feels alone and scared in the dark, João “sews words like patchwork” into a new blanket to cover himself up. He weaves the threads of his quilt until they form one long sentence, and soon, the nighttime is peppered with his own silvery, slippery words.
Roger Mello draws like a shapeshifter – to look at his illustrations is always to see something you missed before (a stingray, a crescent moon nestled into the palm of João’s hand). His breathtaking line drawings, beaming in white thread against deep red, combined with poetic and bewildered language.
#MelAndNikkiReview
João by a Thread is an intriguing children’s book that allows a child to use their imagination as the story unfolds. There is room for interpretation which makes this story unique and one that we will be re-reading to discuss.
This story comes from a Brazilian folklore tale, and we felt the culture connection as our ancestors are Portuguese. It truly is an intricate and exquisite tale of how bedtime fears can be transformed into wondrous dreams with magical adventures.
For this #MelAndNikkiReview, we give this book 5 stars out of 5! We love the uniqueness, culture and free thinking this book offers. The detail in the pictures is so intriguing and we do recommend to really take the time to look at the photos and ask your child what they see in the tapestry. It will become an adventure just to hear what is seen.
Growing up in a Portuguese household, tapestry is an art form and something that is handed down from generation to generation. Unfortunately, not many people enjoy it anymore, but I have always loved it! I have a few tapestries that my late grandmothers have made me that I cherish. There is so much love, culture and history in each thread that was used. I think that is what I loved the most about this book. Bringing tapestry to life and really show how much of an art piece it really is.
If you would like to purchase a copy of this book, click here.
About the Author
Roger Mello has illustrated over 100 titles – 22 of which he also wrote – and his unique style and adroit sense of color continues to push the boundaries of children’s book illustrations. Rather than relying on written narrative to tell the story, Mello invites his young readers to fill the gaps with imagination. Mello has won numerous awards for writing and illustrating, including three of IBBY’s Luis Jardim Awards, the Best Children’s Book 2002 International Award, and the 2014 Hans Christian Andersen Award. In 2018, You Can’t Be Too Careful! was named a Batchelder Honor Book by the American Library Association. Charcoal Boys was published by Elsewhere Editions in 2019 and was named a USBBY 2020 Outstanding International Book.
Daniel Hahn is the author of a number of works of nonfiction, including The Tower Menagerie. He is one of the editors of The Ultimate Book Guide, a series of reading guides for children and teenagers. His translation of The Book of Chameleons by Jose Eduardo Agualusa won the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize in 2007, his translation of Agualusa’s A General Theory of Oblivion was shortlisted for the Man Booker International Prize in 2016, and in 2019 published his translation of Agualusa’s The Society of Reluctant Dreamers. He has translated the work of Philippe Claudel, Maria Duenas, Jose Saramago, Eduardo Halfon, and others. He has collaborated with Roger Mello on two powerfully poetic picture books: You Can’t Be Too Careful! and Charcoal Boys.
Until next time…Happy Parenting!
-Momma Braga
*Please note that this book was provided in exchange of an honest review. All opinions expressed are our own.
