The Boy on the Page

AUTHOR: Peter Carnavas
ARTIST: Peter Carnavas

STORY: This is a joyful, whimsical and comforting tale about the wonder that is life. A young boy lands on the page and we follow his boyhood and then his adulthood as it develops and he discovers what is important for him - the meaning of his life and the reason for his very existence.  It answers the big question of why are we here.
At first the boy is an observer, but gradually he begins to participate and creates an authentic, vibrant, interesting and caring world. If you are a believer, like me, that it's never too early to introduce existential contemplation to children then this is the book for you.


Thanks Celeste for photograph of the first page of The Boy on the Page

ILLUSTRATIONS: The connection between a new life and the blank page is explored in this book. When the boy first arrives on the page there is nothing there but the boy and as his life develops the pages begin to fill with plants, buildings, people, animals and experiences.
At the beginning we see an uncoloured character falling onto the page and then being water-coloured to life in a sequence. There is no on else around. Very soon the pages are teeming with beautifully drawn companions and his busy existence.

SNIPPETS:
We find out how this boy's life unfolds -
"He climbed a mountain.
He saw the whole world in somebody's eyes."
We see his questions and his struggle to find his place -
"But every now and then, as the moon rolled through the deep, blue sky, he still wondered why he had landed on the page."

RECOMMENDED: for 3 year olds and older.

PUBLISHER: New Frontier Publishing

TEACHER'S NOTES: For Primary School PDF

IN THE VIDEO Peter Carnavas explains how he came to create the boy and sings the boys delicate song with the help of family and beautiful music. The children do a delightful felt activity with the books characters that would be a great extension idea.




This post is Linked up at Kids Book a Week