Before After by Anne-Margot Ramstein and Matthias Aregui
Walker Books, 2014. ISBN 9781406357936
(Age: 6+) Highly recommended. This book is quite a beautiful package
of images, colours and ideas. The hardback copy resembles a box with
parchment-like pages meeting edge to edge with the cover.
It is a wordless picture book showing examples of before and after
images; situations and consequences of change. Simple images, in
matt-finished, muted shades add to the book's appeal and
originality. There is the real and the fantastical, along with the
whimsical, with each single image or double-page spread being open
to many interesting interpretations. Of particular note is the image
of the cave painting of a bull with a real bull outside the cave.
This is followed by a picture of an easel painting featuring a bull,
with one in the fields in real view. Coffee beans on a tree move to
a cup of coffee. There is a delightful sequence of an octopus to
ink, then bird to feather, then feather to typewriter, then pigeon
to letter.
Throughout this delightful book, there is potential for
conversations and storytelling; certainly an interesting educational
medium. Originally a French publication, this will be shared and
enjoyed by readers of any age.
Julie Wells