The gargoyle by Zana Fraillon and Ross Morgan

Zana Fraillon (The Bone Sparrow) has created a contemplative book about the marching on of time and the unresponsiveness of many people to others and the world around them. The stone gargoyle in the story has been displaced from his rooftop due to new development and we see his city - dark, gritty and grafittied - as he travels by train. When he is kicked off the train for not having a ticket ("She doesn't look at the gargoyle. Just holds out her hand and booms for 'TICKETS!'") the child narrator opens the suitcase he has left behind. It is filled with the gargoyle's memories; "Blazing moments of great happinesses and fiery saddnesses, flickers of endless days and infinite nights, of moons waxing and waning, of stars dying and being born..." In addition, he sees the gargoyle's hopes for the future: a vision of him planting a seed that grows into a tree. Mirroring the way older generations are often viewed, the gargoyle is mostly seen as an imposition or an annoyance by the other passengers on the train. He isn't treated with respect or dignity. The story ends hopefully, with the child planting the seed and restoring some life and colour to the city, in memory of the gargoyle. 

Ross Morgan's illustrations are haunting, in some parts quite realistic and in others very dreamlike. You can really feel the hardness and impersonal nature of the city, the lack of care or interest that the train passengers have for each other, but especially for the gargoyle ("no one helps him or offers him their seat"). Environmental print (New Development Coming Soon, Demolition Work in Progress) and grafitti provides the sense of place, where old things are being torn down or falling into disrepair and nothing is respected. This is a heartfelt tale with lots of interesting ideas to unpack and at its core a simple plea for kindness and compassion. 

Themes: Ageing, Time, Legacy.

Nicole Nelson