I was reading picture books recently and found that all had a strong theme, but I was not sure if I really liked them. I knew I liked the idea of them, but did I like how they were done? So, I present to you them and see what you think. All were read via an online reader copy.
The first was The Duel: A Story about Peace by Ines Viegas Oliveira, and translated by Rosa Churcher Clarke (due mid-November 2024). The theme sounded obvious by the title (peace), but when I got into it, I didn’t see or feel Peace. There are two men in the duel stance. They count off. We follow one man as he narrates the action of walking. And walking. And walking. The scenery changes, but still that’s not peaceful. He does eventually forget why he wanted to duel and finds himself at a peaceful place, inviting his adversary to join via letter. But still, uuumm…. I don’t get it. Was it just the fact he’s walking and forgetting?
I did enjoy the artwork even though the illustrations are what I consider abstract, but still see them and know what is happening. I don’t always like that style, but even when they are showing a busy city setting, I liked the colors, the unique swirls and edges. They work for what I feel the story is trying to say. They can be busy and that can be distracting, yet I know there is a reason for them. I know a second reading is needed (preferably a finished copy). 
Then I read the serious story, A Stronger Home by Katrina Chen, Elaine Su, and illustrated by Delphie Côté-Lacroix (due mid-May 2025). The child and mother of the story are hiding from the storm that is raging inside their home. We, the adult reader, know they are hiding from someone who is an abuser, but we only see how the mother tries and comforts the child as they hide in the other room (and later the mess the house is as they leave). The point of view is from the child, but with a slightly more mature attitude than they look. They liken things to the physical aspects to storms and how that makes them feel. A page later, we see them leave, find a nice home to stay in and occasionally move around. It was a bit idealistic as I was looking for a more traditional arc as I assumed they would stay in shelters and have less calmness around them. That is not to say they are still not fearful, but the homes seem to be only for them, and they are mostly alone. And I did not expect the homes they find are near the ocean. Slight spoiler, they do return to the first house, and this is explained in the afterwards, The story itself is based on a true story.
Still, it is a great idea to have in a book and done on the younger/child’s level. The presentation allows us to see domestic abuse in a way that is not overly scary, but allows the feelings to come across. The artwork helps with this. While more realistic than The Duel, it is still a bit abstract and dreamy. The colors are blurry and melt into things, but are not messy. The colors and details are well done, but sometimes it does make it a tad “off” for what is happening. Still, I enjoyed them and like how they support the text.
And last, but not least, is My Dear Sea by André Carrilho (due early April 2025). While we do have an environmental issue and the child of the story has an accident with the waves, it is a happy book. (Why I talk about it at the end). The child, in rhyming text, tells how they must respect the waves (as they are both soft, gentle, but hard as stone and dangerous) and they must respect the ocean itself. Or, the Dear Sea. It hides many mysteries but it also hides our garbage. Overall I enjoyed it, but the rhyming was both a good way to move the story along, but also makes it feel young and not a “grow with the child” book.
And one cannot forget the artwork. It is childlike but not childish in any negative way. The colors that are included, as well as the minimalist details, are used to help move the story and keep you reading. And of course, there are pages that are covered in colors that really make the theme pop and some are more subtle. I think it might work best for a one-on-one reading, and not a group, but at the same time it is the best one for a group setting out of the three titles.