Begin by reading the opening words of Applesauce and the Christmas Miracle by Glenda Millard illustrated by Stephen Michael King. Read them slowly:
"One orange evening, tiger-striped with blackened trees, a pig sat, reminiscing."
One of the most beautiful ways a young child can acquire new words is through stories, through books, and specifically through picture books. Look at these words - tiger-striped, blackened, and that exquisite word reminiscing.
"the raging bushfire had come and licked the earth bare."
"Night fell as dark as burnt toast, except the holes where the starlight leaked through."
Little Applesauce is feeling low. Bushfires have destroyed nearly everything and so Joe and Marigold are now living in a shed and yes, a new baby is coming. The Shepard family live high in the hills. Young Billy Shepherd notices a star which is shining above Joe and Marigold's home. The family climb into their ute and head down to visit. Applesauce is convinced there will be no Christmas this year but she is so wrong. The Shepherd family have arrived and then another old battered car rolls up. Inside are Marigold's three elderly aunties and they seem to have gifts. There is a plum pudding; some shortbread; and a fruit crate. Joe puts some hay into the crate and Marigold comes out of the shed.
"Marigold carried a bundle in her arms. ... Applesauce inched closer - there on the hay was a baby!"
Yesterday we looked at Wombat Divine which told of preparations for a Nativity play. Here we have another way of telling the Nativity story. The combination of Glenda Millard who is a master wordsmith, with Stephen Michael King and his delicate art, have created a book that is just perfect in every way. One thing to especially notice when you find this book (I am sure it will be in most libraries) is the way Stephen controls your reading pace. Twice he inserts wordless pages where you can pause and wonder. Australian children will recognise the references to gumnuts; cockatoos; the illustration of an echidna; the ute; yabbies; damper; and the images of a bushfire ravaged landscape. I'd like to think if you are reading this book in a different country you could take a little time to research these if you are lucky enough to be reading this book in a school or library.
If your child is familiar with the traditional nativity story they are sure to appreciate this book on an even deeper level.
- Joe - Joseph
- Marigold - Mary
- Three old Aunties - Three wise men
- The Shepherd family - the shepherds minding their flock of sheep
- A flock of cockatoos - the angels on high
And we have the star, and the stable and the birth of a special baby.
Sadly Applesauce and the Christmas Miracle is now out of print. It was first published in 2008. I hope the publisher considers producing an anniversary edition in 2023 perhaps. You can see some art from this book here.
I have not really talked about book dedications here on my blog but I do like the words inscribed in this book by Glenda Millard: "In loving memory of my Nana, Florence Alice, with thanks for silver sixpences, plump plum puddings and Christmases that came from the heart."
The illustrations in this book are some of my favourites. They capture the softness of the season, including a double page spread (no words) of a star filled sky. The soft blue washes and sparkling stars are juxtaposed against a desolate, post bushfire landscape. The intensity of the fire is only seen on the endpapers (please take a look at those endpapers). Stephen Michael King
No comments:
Post a Comment