A Picture Book that is a Wild Ride
Let’s rewind to early 2012. I was five months pregnant, navigating life in Vancouver between muddy snowbanks, prenatal yoga, movie torrents, and ambitious home-cooked meals. Despite the obvious curve of my belly, I was still trying to land a job.
Long story short, I started out 2012 canvassing for the Wilderness Committee. And another long story short, it all ended one evening (seven days later) when I had knocked on more than 25 houses in three hours and all I managed was to hand out flyers on Salmon Farms and the Enbridge Pipeline. To be specific it ended when I desperately had to pee behind a bush at a North Vancouver yard (people weren't even answering the door, let alone letting me use their bathroom). That was it. No more canvassing for my pregnant self. Defeated. Until one happy morning when I had the idea to contact Michael, co-owner and publisher of Tradewind Books. Mike took me in despite showing a very thin layer of experience and knowledge in the field of children's book publishing.
The following Monday I started an internship at Tradewind Books and a teaching assistant position for the Children's Book Workshop Mike teaches at UBC. Days went by and I felt happy and productive. Mind mapping and quick notes were my way of keeping track of all the information, knowledge, and experience on children's books Mike has to share. During the internship I learned about web design, copyrights, editing, book design, and the woven network of publishers and editors across the continents. Mike's wife, Carol, is the art director at Tradewind Books. She is always in tune with what is out there and has an incredible talent to visualize and bring books to life with a fresh breath of art. Along with Carol's touch is the brilliant work of the graphic designer, Elisa Gutiérrez. An example of their extravagant results is the book Night Sky Wheel Ride.
Night Sky Wheel Ride brings together Sheree Fitch's playful poetry and Yayo's breath-taking illustrations, in what literally feels like a wheel ride daring adventure into the night! Nothing is impossible, everything is imaginable, and movement is the only permanent thing. All is grand and turning, from apple trees, to laundry machines, all the way into the sky. Anyone who reads this book through will be moved along and thrilled by a contagious joy. Elisa designed this book wonderfully, giving the text movement and life in Yayo's art work. This book was one of Mike and Carol's gifts to Georgia and they will always have a special place in our bookshelf. At this stage, Georgia only half pays attention when I read her books, but the musical read and vivid colours sure grasped her attention. She waved her arms around and licked her fingers in delight.
Check out an interview with Yayo over on Taleen Hacikyan’s Art Blog.
Book: Night Sky Wheel Ride
Words by: Sheree Fitch
Pictures by: Yayo, Diego Herrera
Published: 2010, Tradewind Books
What it’s about: A dazzling, dreamlike adventure set in a nighttime carnival. With Sheree Fitch’s signature musical poetry and Yayo’s whimsical, surreal illustrations, the book takes young readers on a twirling, tumbling ride through a world where anything is possible and imagination is in constant motion.
Themes: Imagination, Nighttime wonder, Musical Rhythm
Recommended Ages: Great for 3–8
Canada Link
U.S. Link
