The Wall
Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain
by Peter Sis
Frances Foster Books (Farrar, Straus and Giroux), New York, 2007.
2008 Robert F. Sibert Medal winner.
2008 Caldecott Honor Book.
In a picture book for children, Peter Sis here creatively captures what it was like to be an artist growing up in Czechoslovakia behind the Iron Curtain.
With his art, he expresses to the reader the feelings of the students who did not want to be repressed.
This book reminded me of Persepolis, another story of a student growing up under oppression, also told with art. The Wall is simpler, and thus more suitable for children, intelligent children who will think about the images and read the fine print.
Hmm. It’s also suitable for intelligent adults who will think about the images and read the fine print.
This book is a powerful testimonial against repression.
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