Is it Asleep? Olivier Tallec

Squirrel and his friend Pock (a mushroom) set out on a walk through the forest to the meadow. They love listening to the birds, especially the song of the blackbird but there is no song. Then they see the blackbird:

"It's lying there completely still. We've never seen a bird so close-up. It must definitely be asleep. So we keep very quiet and wait for it to wake."

The bird does not wake up even after they move in for a close look at the beautiful feathers, even after they whisper to the bird 'Are you asleep?', and then they clap their hands but nothing happens. Three heads are better than two so they fetch their friend Gunther. Guther says they should lift the bird to help it fly but they discover blackbird is too heavy and that's when we read something you and your young reading companion probably suspected:

"That's when Pock says maybe the blackbird is dead."

Here is an interview with Olivier Tallec and Gecko Press.

I seem to be sharing a few books lately about deep sadness, grief and death. Take a look at this video where the presenter talks about when and why to share picture books about these topics. Yes, It is Asleep? is desperately sad but it is also a gentle story about friendship and caring and memories. There is so little text in this book - it demands to be read very quietly and slowly. You should add this book to your library and don't be afraid to pop it on your regular picture book shelves - no need to hide it away in a parent or teacher reference collection. It is also a NSW Premier's Reading Challenge title (K-2). [1367138]

Children read a book about death like they read a story on a completely different subject. They don’t identify with it in the same way as adults. Children are not apprehensive about entering this story. And I believe we shouldn’t be afraid to read them these books. Death is part of life. Olivier Tallec

A laudably candid yet child-friendly examination of life and death. Kirkus

With moving reflection, and a tribute to life lived and lost, death is gently portrayed in a pure, uncomplicated way that children can comprehend.  Kids' Book Review

Olivier Tallec’s work has been called “sensitive”, “stunning”, “breathtaking”, and “beautiful.” Tallec was born in Brittany, France, in 1970. After graduating from the École Supérieure D’arts Graphiques in Paris, he worked in advertising as a graphic designer, after which he devoted himself to illustration. Since then he has illustrated more than sixty books.

We have already met Pock and Squirrel and Gunther the mouse in this previous book:

A Better Best Friend

Here are a few other books to explore on the topics of grief, loss and death:

The Memory Tree

The Bear and the Wildcat

The Hare-shaped Hole

The King and Nothing by Olivier Tallec translated by Nick Frost and Catherine Ostiguy

"There was once a king who had everything."

Stop and think about this sentence and the title. Now go onto this sentence:

"He lacked almost nothing."  

Wait a minute the king interprets this as he lacked Nothing. He needs Nothing. He is a collector and so he is missing this 'thing' called nothing.

Perhaps Nothing is something tiny - like a microbe. Or maybe he can find Nothing in the desert or perhaps in the vast night sky. The king demands everyone in the castle - someone must bring him Nothing. Even a tiny leaf is actually something and burning it just leaves ashes. He cannot even do nothing because that leads to daydreaming. He decides he might find Nothing if he gives everything away. He has an amazing collection of stuff but it all needs to go. The end page is sure to give you and your group of older students some thing to think about. 

Bookseller blurb: There once lived a king who had absolutely everything—and we mean everything. From elephants without trunks, to caramel-flavored ice skates, to caterpillars on bicycles, and even storm clouds that refused to make lightning. Yes, there was simply nothing you can imagine that this king did not have . . . well, except for nothing itself. From author-illustrator Olivier Tallec, The King and Nothing is the wonderfully whimsical and philosophical take of one person who searches high and low for nothing, only to encounter something at every turn. Just how far will the king go to find nothing?

Heady stuff, but potentially thought-provoking fare for budding existentialists. Kirkus

Despite his important anti-materialist message, the book’s cartoonish characters all sport big noses and googly eyes, which add to the fun. Even very young children will be able to grasp that the king’s library and cabinet of curiosities (bulging with rain clouds, sandwiches, bats, cacti, and moon boots) contain more than enough stuff for a lifetime. A timely message about how the chaotic mess of too many possessions can be countered with thoughtfulness, a desire for simplicity, and a deep clean out of one’s closet. YS Book Reviews

"He'd always been told you can find anything in books, so surely they would also be a good place to find Nothing. But the king quickly realised that although he had millions of books, their pages were always filled with something, a prince in love, different ways to repair a spaceship, or simple ways to prepare French-fry cakes. Decidedly, Nothing was not hiding in his library."

The French title is: Le roi et Rien.

Olivier Tallec graduated from the Ecole Supérieure d’Arts Graphiques in Paris and worked in advertising as a graphic designer before devoting himself to illustration. He has done many illustrations for newspapers and magazines and has illustrated more than thirty books for children. He lives in Paris.

One of the things I miss now that I no longer work in a school library is connecting books either in our library sessions or for staff. If I was sharing The King and Nothing these are the two books I would use as comparison texts (or just read for fun!).

The Greatest Treasure of Charlemagne the King

A Better Best Friend by Olivier Tallec

"This morning, while I was out walking, I found a best friend."

"I've been wanting a best friend for a long time. But best friends aren't like pinecones. They don't just fall from trees."

You know the saying 'twos company, threes a crowd' but what if another 'friend' comes along, then another and then another.

Walker Books blurb: In this comedic picture book exploring a forever childhood question about friendship, squirrel and a mushroom explore the forest through the seasons, show each other special trees, build snow mushrooms, share the good times and bad—which become good bad times alongside a friend. Then spring arrives, and so does a new friend. And then another. This raises a profound question for an overthinking squirrel: should we have just one best friend? After much drama, Squirrel doesn't find an answer—the friends keep coming—and he ends the book with at least three better best friends. Book publisher Gecko Press.

Here is an interview with Olivier Tallec about A Better Best Friend. Here are some very simple teacher's notes. I would add these questions:

How do you identify a friend?

How do we make friends?

Can someone instantly become your 'best friend'? 

What things do you share or do with a friend?

What is the role of listening in a friendship? And is it okay to be silent?

Explain the saying 'twos company threes a crowd'? Is this really true?

Can you explain jealousy? 

Why does our narrator want a 'best' friend? Is it okay to just have lots of great friends? Is the word 'best' actually the issue here?

Talk about times with your friend or friends that connect with this story.

Other books I have previously talked about illustrated by Olivier Tallec:

I Always wanted one

Louis I King of the Sheep

Blob

My Tooth is Lost!

This is a poem that heals fish by Jean-Pierre Siméon illustrated by Olivier Tallec translated by Claudia Zoe Bedrick

Arthur thinks something is wrong with his fish. Is he bored or is he about to die. Mum suggests the fish needs a poem! But where can Arthur find a poem? And what is a poem? First he looks in the kitchen but all he finds are noodles. He checks out the cleaning supplies but the saggy rag who is always damp and cold reples "no boem 'ere". Perhaps Lolo who works at the bike shop can help. 

"A poem, Arthur, is when you are in love and have the sky in your mouth."

Old Mahmoud is working in his garden watering his rhododendrons. 

"A poem is when you hear the heartbeat of a stone."

His canary Aristophanes says:

"A poem is when words beat their wings. It is a song sung in a cage."

Arthur also asks his grandmother and his grandfather and then he takes all the ideas he has gathered and explains them to his fish. Have you guessed - the words he has gathered form a wonderful poem.

— I’m sorry, Leon, I have not found a poem. All I know is this:

A poem

is when you have the sky in your mouth.

It is hot like fresh bread,

when you eat it,

a little is always left over.

A poem

is when you hear

the heartbeat of a stone,

when words beat their wings.

It is a song sung in a cage.

A poem

is words turned upside down

and suddenly!

the world is new.

Imaginative fauvist illustrations capture the fanciful, free mood of the text as well as the essence of a poem, which indeed can “turn words around, upside down, and—suddenly!—the world is new.” An enchantingly abstract invitation to ponder poetry. Kirkus

Every once in a while, you stumble upon something so lovely, so unpretentiously beautiful and quietly profound, that you feel like the lungs of your soul have been pumped with a mighty gasp of Alpine air. The Marginalian

Olivier Tallec’s work has been called “sensitive”, “stunning”, “breathtaking”, and “beautiful.” Tallec was born in Brittany, France, in 1970. After graduating from the École Supérieure D’arts Graphiques in Paris, he worked in advertising as a graphic designer, after which he devoted himself to illustration. Since then he has illustrated more than sixty books ... Enchanted Lion

Here are some companion reads:

Daniel finds a Poem (check out the comment by the author!)

Stanza

This is a poem that heals fish was published in English in 2007. I wonder how it came to be in my local book store? Very kindly the shop owner gifted this book to me. Very luckily, for you, I see it is still in print. But I am so sad to report my local independent bookshop has decided to close at the end of June. The wonderful owner has been a fabulous source of advance reader copies of books and also a terrific reading companion. I will miss their store, their books and most especially those early copies of books that are about to be released. 

Researching the topic of picture books that feature young poets learning to write poetry I found these and so I have added them to my enormous "to read" list:

Kirkus Star review (Sadly here in Australia this book costs over AUS$40)

Blob The Ugliest animal in the World by Joy Sorman illustrated by Olivier Tallec translated by Sarah Klinger

"Every year, Blob has made this difficult journey. Every year, he has stood before the jury, hoping to win the famous contest. But so far he has come in only second or third."

"Blob, we are counting on you to represent the ugly animals of land, sea and sky with elegance and pride."

What is this contest? The answer lies in the sub title - the ugliest animal in the world.

Previous winners have been a frog from Lake Titicaca, a Kapapo parakeet, and a Sea Pig. This year Blob is announced as:

"Blob, the fish! Consider his slimy and stunning array of facial features, his sea monster allure, his faceless silhouette, his formidably formless physique, and his sad sheepish demeanour."

It would have been fun to share this book when we were exploring the 2020 CBCA Book Week slogan Curious Creatures Wild Minds. Some of the "unusual" animals mentioned in this book are:

• The Bald Uakari Monkey
• The Naked Mole Rat
• The Aye Aye Lemur
• The Star-nosed Mole
• The Proboscius Monkey
• The Axolotl
• The Vietnamese Leaf-nosed Bat

I read some less positive reviews of this book but I think this book is both funny and also an astute commentary on popularity.  I am sure Blob will be appreciated by an older primary group and junior secondary students. This book is almost a graphic novel. In France it was first published with the title: Blob, l'animal le plus laid de monde.

Some funny parts of this story which could be used in a discussion with older students:

"... now great designers dress him, famous actresses pose with him, autograph collections hound him and fans beg to rub his slimy body for good luck" - How does this make you feel? How does this make Blob feel? Will his fame last? Why is this happening to Blob?

"Despite his baldness, Blob becomes the official spokesperson for the annual Global Hairstyling Conference." Why do you think this has happened? Discuss the idea of something being absurb.

Olivier Tallec includes a 'photo album' where we see Blob with Queen Elizabeth; The Dali Lama and others. Are there other famous people Blob could be photographed with? Why did you choose these people? Take a look here to see some illustrations from this book.

"Suddenly, he needs round the clock attention, caviar for breakfast, and of course a private jet. He fires his makeup artist without provocation and cancels appearances at the last minute. His tantrums are lengendy." This book was first published in 2015 - is that significant when considered in relation to the way Blob is behaving? 

Tallec's illustrations really steal the show, though, with oblong, corpulent Blob donning shades as he mugs with models and rappers, looking balefully out his penthouse window as his reign nears its end, and holding court with other underwater life when he returns home with his tales of glory.  Bulletin of the Centre for Children's Books

I would link this book with these. Sammy Streetsinger would make an excellent comparison text:

I Always Wanted One by Olivier Tallec

Here is the perfect book about point of view. I Always Wanted One has a dog and a boy on the front cover so you might assume it's the boy who has always wanted a dog but now that I have mentioned  point of view I guess you have worked out this book is about a dog and his boy!

The story opens on Christmas morning. 

"I always wanted one. So that morning, when I saw him there, I could not believe my eyes! I got a little bit closer and my heart beat a little bit faster. I could see straight away how cute he was with his big beautiful eyes."

Oddly this new friend does not want to eat off the floor; he doesn't fit in the (dog) house; and he needs walking every day. "But I like showing him off. All my friends have one too, but I think mine is the best one."

I especially like this way is read "sideways" or as I read Italian XXL format.  I have mentioned this in previous posts but I long to find a book I adored as a child about a puppy that is given as a Christmas present. I Always Wanted One made me think about that book, from the 1960s, all over again. I Always Wanted one was originally published in French under the title J'en rêvais depuis longtemps. You can see and hear the French text here.

Here are some review comments from French bloggers:

His sense of dialogue and repartee hits the mark every time!

Little by little, our two protagonists will tame each other,a strong bond will be created between them.

I have talked about other books by the talented Olivier Tallec here:

Louis I King of the Sheep

My tooth is lost

Olivier Tallec has two new books:

Here are some other books where the story is told by a dog talking about his human:

My tooth is lost! A Monkey and Cake book by Drew Daywalt illustrated by Olivier Tallec

Monkey has lost his tooth. Cake, his friend, explains about the tooth fairy and money and how impossible it will be to use that tooth again. But is he right?

Visiting my favourite school library is one of the highlights of my week especially since (even though I am not a student) the friendly Teacher-Librarian is happy for me to borrow any book I like. Last week I talked about Spark from the Tiny Tales series by Canadian author Kallie George. This week I headed over to the same section and I found My Tooth is lost! A Monkey and Cake book. Boy oh boy oh boy this is such FUN! I am not the intended audience but I fell about laughing when I read and then reread My Tooth is lost!

Have you read the Mo Williems books about Elephant and Piggie?  The Monkey and Cake book series use the same question and answer format employing colour as a way to distinguish the two voices in the odd ball converstation:

Hello, Monkey.

Hello, Cake.

You look sad.

I am sad.

Why are you sad?

I lost a tooth.

You lost a tooth? But that is a not a bad thing. That is a good thing.

I would pair this book with the Mo Willems title I lost my Tooth:

Take a look here to see one of the book in this series - What is inside THIS box? Drew Daywalt is famous for his crayons books and Olivier Tallec is a French illustrator. Here is a work sheet but really I would just add this book to a Primary school or preschool library - no need for simple worksheets - just enjoy this book -  simply because it is such fun.

If you would like to move beyond the idea that these are just simple and funny books take a look at this interesting perspective.

Louis I King of the Sheep Olivier Tallec

Louis finds a crown and declares he is the king! On the title page he appears in his ermine cape with a scepter (tree branch). He sits on his throne (low fork of a tree) and observes his subjects. He dispenses justice, makes speeches, and goes hunting. King Louis I decides he should hunt lions but "since there were no lions in his kingdom, he would have them brought to him for his pleasure." 

Echoing Louis XIV of France,  Louis I lives in a grand place and his worker sheep tend his magnificent royal gardens which contain statues of Louis I and topiary forms in his image. He even meets with ambassadors from other lands (moose, penguin, tapir and raccoon). Louis I has now become a dictator - he orders his people to march behind him "in sheep step".

Then we come to the most chilling page of all:

"Next, Louis I decided that only the sheep who resembled him could live at his side. The others must be driven out."

Thank goodness at this point it is another windy day and his crown blows away. Oh no wait til you see where in lands!

The publisher and most reviewers list this as a picture book for young children but I think the audience that will really appreciate the power and leadership commentary afforded by the story should be much older children in senior classes aged 10+. Louis I King of the Sheep was originally published in French (2014 English Edition 2015 Enchanted Lion Books).  I looked for some teaching notes - I am sure there would be some produced in French.  Read more about Olivier Tallec here. You could also use this book with High School students - read the review below from Brain Pickings below which mentions deeper themes such as The Holocaust.

Tallec leaves it up to readers to decide how much of Louis’power trip is imaginary, giving them plenty of details to pore over while they muse.  It’s a political education—Schoolyard Politics 101—in a picture book, one well worth having on the bookshelf. Kirkus

As Louis I rises to power by nothing more than chance, he gradually transmogrifies into an entitled and arrogant tyrant. BrainPickings

Difficult to find sweeter and more tender than a sheep, you think. And yet! Give a little bit of power (or illusion of power) to one of these harmless beings, and you will see what will happen: authoritarianism, tyranny, segregation ... Fortunately, it is always possible to get rid of a leader, but will the one that follows necessarily be better? Actua Litte

I would pair Louis I King of the sheep with these books: