The Fog by Kyo Maclear and Kenard Pak is one of the most beautifully written and illustrated books I’ve read this year (even though it was published in 2017). The stunning words were enough alone to make me take this one home, but Pak’s dreamy water colour illustrations make the fog come to life perfectly. A charming story about friendship and longing for a once known world all told through Maclear’s quirky Warble, who spends his days human-watching. Both the warbler and the red-hooded, spectacled girl work together to make a change in their world.
WITH LITTLE READERS:
With its underlying message, The Fog will delight older readers as they figure out what the fog represents in their own world. Once we delight in the magic of the story (always honour the author’s intent), I will be using this precious book in my classroom. Have the readers respond to what they believe the fog could represent and how change has impacted the world in which we live. Discussions will roll around the room about hope and change and how the Warbler noticed things that his neighbours did not. A perfect text to use when looking at the English Textual Concepts of Representation, Perspective and Imagery and Symbol.
So subtle in words and pictures, I already know that The Fog will be a class favourite this year. I can’t wait to get back to school to read it to the kiddos.
Don’t miss the beautiful end papers displaying the little Warbler’s human-watching field notes. I wish the Warbler had seen me and my loved ones in the fog.
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