Momo celebrating time to read: The Garden of Inside-Outside by Chiara Mezzalama illustrated by Regis Lejonic translated by Sarah Ardizzone

"Why do people wage wars?' I used to ask her.

'Sometimes, people grow mad - with anger, with hatred - they lose their grip on words

and choose weapons instead.
The truth is I don't know the answer to your question."

In 1979, the Shah of Iran was overthrown by the Islamic Revolution. On 4th November 1979 fifty-two American diplomats and citizens were taken hostage in their embassy. They were held there for 444 days. During this time the father of the author of this book was appointed Italy's ambassador to Iran. This story begins in the summer of 1981.

Inside the children have a place to play filled with flowers and insects and ponds and hiding places. Outside "gunfire, exploding bombs and cries drowned out every sound."

"The city had grown. So had the women and men. People queued for food. Everywhere there were soldiers with heavy boots and big beards, their riffles slung across their shoulders. The city-monster made us feel very frightened."

One day a little boy from outside finds a way to come inside their garden. The children do not share a language, but they do share their imaginations. They play a game of princes and princesses set in times past where people were free to play music and dance and enjoy beautiful things. After their game the little girl tries to give a gift to the boy, but he rejects her t-shirt and flees. He is gone for a long time but when he eventually returns he has a gift for the girl.

"It wasn't a gift. It was a swap."

With exquisitely detailed and evocative images recalling fairy tales and exploring Iran’s artistic heritage – fantasies and ideas about Iran swirling together with glimpsed experiences – this book offers an unusual and breathtaking perspective on conflict: it’s noisy and terrifying even from the safety of their diplomatic compound, so how must it feel out there on the street? This is also a story of childhood defiance and testing barriers. It’s a timely reminder to adults that while we put up barriers to keep our children safe, they still need space to rebel, to find their own freedom and privacy. But above all, it’s a book about the need for friendship, even when there is no common language. Chiara has her brother, but he’s not the same. Her agony is real when she worries she has scared Massoud off or insulted him by offering him a gift of her t-shirt to replace his torn one. She fears she won’t see him again. But he does brave the jump over the wall again, wearing her t-shirt, and he gives her something, a tiny cat carved out of wood. “It wasn’t a gift, it was a swap.” They couldn’t talk, they didn’t know each for long, but they had both entered each other’s lives and made a lasting impression. Book Island Instagram

The Garden of Inside-Outside was first published in French as Le jardin du dedans-dehors, Les Editions des Elephants, France, 2017. Here is some background reading for teachers.

More than a story of childhood fantasy, this book provides a powerful treatise on civil war and its impact on young lives, on both sides of any political conflict. It raises interesting philosophical thoughts for readers of all ages on the futility of war and the power of friendship to overcome political, cultural and physical barriers. IBBY.uk

With war and political division as widespread and relevant today, this is a touching story about breaching walls and bridging cultures. The kindness of childhood friendship contrasts with the brutality of adult conflict. Inside the physically imprisoning garden wall, the children establish trust, overcome misunderstanding and find freedom, while terror grips the city outside. The bright colours and black outlines of the illustrations capture effectively both the bloody, unyielding horrors of war and the vivid dream-world of the children as they explore the garden. Children's Books Ireland

You can see inside this book here.

The publisher Book Island have some teachers resources which include:

Introduction by the publisher (video) (She mentions the Book Island author interview but this is no longer available).
Interview with the illustrator (video)
Art class with the illustrator (PDF): draw your own marvellous garden in eight steps
Drama activities (PDF), including suitcase stories and soundscapes
Narration of the story
Teaching notes written by Dr Ann Alston

Here is an interview with the illustrator Regis Lejonic with Library Mice.

I am not entirely sure about the audience for The Garden of Inside-Outside. I am going to suggest this is a picture book for older readers from Grades 5-8. You could most certainly use the illustrator video interview with a High School art group. See full size images from the book. I put graphic novel as a descriptor but this book is not exactly a graphic novel nor is it a conventional picture book.

Régis Lejonc is a French illustrator, cartoonist, screen writer and author. He has illustrated over 60 books and was the first French illustrator to win the prestigious Prix Sorcières, the French Independent Booksellers’ Award twice in one year.

Here are some other books about walls for older readers: