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Begin Again: How We Got Here and Where We Might Go - Our Human Story. So Far.
In his first illustrated book created specifically with a wider audience in mind, Oliver Jeffers shares a very brief history of humanity, reviews our current position, and shares his dreams for where we go from here.
With his bold, iconic art, executed in a simple two-color palette, Oliver Jeffers looks at our shared motivations for existence to follow the human path from the dawn of our species through history, sharing profound, sometimes poignant, commentary on our present, and then offers a Where do we go from here? How can we create new stories and new systems that allow all of humanity to flourish? How can we journey toward a collective and robust future?
Illustrated in his world-renowned art style, Oliver Jeffers’ reflection on the patterns that have led us to where we are today, the stories we have governed ourselves by, and those we might adopt going forward, is insightful, moving, and powerful. A must-have for anyone who wants the next generation to inherit a world to be proud of.
With his bold, iconic art, executed in a simple two-color palette, Oliver Jeffers looks at our shared motivations for existence to follow the human path from the dawn of our species through history, sharing profound, sometimes poignant, commentary on our present, and then offers a Where do we go from here? How can we create new stories and new systems that allow all of humanity to flourish? How can we journey toward a collective and robust future?
Illustrated in his world-renowned art style, Oliver Jeffers’ reflection on the patterns that have led us to where we are today, the stories we have governed ourselves by, and those we might adopt going forward, is insightful, moving, and powerful. A must-have for anyone who wants the next generation to inherit a world to be proud of.
112 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 3, 2023
11 people are currently reading
586 people want to read
About the author
Oliver Jeffers
94 books2,745 followersOliver Jeffers' work takes many forms. His distinctive paintings have been exhibited in galleries worldwide, and HarperCollins UK and Penguin USA publish his award-winning picture books, now translated into over 30 languages.
In 2007, Jeffers was the official illustrator for World Book Day, and in 2008 Lost and Found became Oliver's first book to made into animation by London-based Studio AKA.
Jeffers won a NY Emmy in 2010 for his collaborative work with the artist and director Mac Premo, and in 2013 Jeffers co-directed the video for U2's Ordinary Love with Premo. Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Jeffers now lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.
In 2007, Jeffers was the official illustrator for World Book Day, and in 2008 Lost and Found became Oliver's first book to made into animation by London-based Studio AKA.
Jeffers won a NY Emmy in 2010 for his collaborative work with the artist and director Mac Premo, and in 2013 Jeffers co-directed the video for U2's Ordinary Love with Premo. Originally from Belfast, Northern Ireland, Jeffers now lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
August 3, 2023
Thanksgiving 2016. I brought this little wooden tree to my parents' house and each of us got little wooden leaves to write what we were thankful for that year. We decorated the tree and put it on the table.
A week later my dad dropped dead of a brain aneurysm. In the midst of planning a funeral we never predicted would be coming, we glanced at the little wooden tree only to see my dad had written on a leaf "one foot in front of the other."
Why did he write that? THAT'S what he was "thankful for?" We will never, ever know what he meant by it or why he chose to write that, but it's become our family go-to everytime we are faced with something that challenges our strength.
And so as I'm reading Oliver's Begin Again, tears rolled down my face as I read the line about putting one foot in front of the other.
I think - and you know this is saying a LOT - this is officially my favorite Oliver Jeffers book. Ever.
"When we emerged on dry land
Stood on two feet
Put one foot in front of the other and kept walking."
A week later my dad dropped dead of a brain aneurysm. In the midst of planning a funeral we never predicted would be coming, we glanced at the little wooden tree only to see my dad had written on a leaf "one foot in front of the other."
Why did he write that? THAT'S what he was "thankful for?" We will never, ever know what he meant by it or why he chose to write that, but it's become our family go-to everytime we are faced with something that challenges our strength.
And so as I'm reading Oliver's Begin Again, tears rolled down my face as I read the line about putting one foot in front of the other.
I think - and you know this is saying a LOT - this is officially my favorite Oliver Jeffers book. Ever.
"When we emerged on dry land
Stood on two feet
Put one foot in front of the other and kept walking."
May 6, 2025
Edição portuguesa: "Recomeçar", Orfeu Negro
4,5*
desenhámos linhas imaginárias
para sabermos quem somos e quem não somos,
a que sítio pertencemos e a que sítio não pertencemos.
Sem moralismos, neste “Recomeçar”, Oliver Jeffers, um autor criado na Irlanda do Norte, deixa uma mensagem válida e empática, face a um mundo “mais sombrio e mais zangado do que nunca”, usando aquilo a que chama a perspectiva do astronauta: vendo o mundo de forma global e à distância.
Tal como este artista visual, também acredito no poder da arte e ainda mais no poder das histórias, não só as que lemos, mas sobretudo aquelas em que nos incluímos e aquelas que contamos a nós mesmos na nossa cabeça, sejam elas autênticas ou alindadas pelas nossas intenções, e que ansiamos por contar aos outros.
Se pensarem nisso,
gostamos mais de oferecer o presente certo
do que recebê-lo.
E a primeira coisa que fazemos,
depois de nos rirmos de uma boa piada
ou de ouvirmos uma boa história, é pensar…
a quem
é que a vamos contar?
As ilustrações, em fortes tons de azul, rosa e roxo, acompanham a leitura na perfeição, mas a nota final do autor transmite toda a sua experiência de vida e a vontade de aproveitá-la de forma positiva, para que o paradigma deixe de ser o “nós” contra “eles” e, em última instância, “eu” contra os “outros”.
Hoje, em vez de perguntar às pessoas o que é que elas querem, a pergunta que lhes faço é “Como é que te queres sentir?” Uma vez que nos sintamos seguros, todos queremos sentir que estamos integrados, que pertencemos a algo. Queremos ter importância. E há um número crescente de pessoas em desespero por sentirem que não a têm. Que, ao invés, foram esquecidas, que não contam, que não têm lugar na história coletiva da sociedade moderna.
4,5*
desenhámos linhas imaginárias
para sabermos quem somos e quem não somos,
a que sítio pertencemos e a que sítio não pertencemos.
Sem moralismos, neste “Recomeçar”, Oliver Jeffers, um autor criado na Irlanda do Norte, deixa uma mensagem válida e empática, face a um mundo “mais sombrio e mais zangado do que nunca”, usando aquilo a que chama a perspectiva do astronauta: vendo o mundo de forma global e à distância.
Tal como este artista visual, também acredito no poder da arte e ainda mais no poder das histórias, não só as que lemos, mas sobretudo aquelas em que nos incluímos e aquelas que contamos a nós mesmos na nossa cabeça, sejam elas autênticas ou alindadas pelas nossas intenções, e que ansiamos por contar aos outros.
Se pensarem nisso,
gostamos mais de oferecer o presente certo
do que recebê-lo.
E a primeira coisa que fazemos,
depois de nos rirmos de uma boa piada
ou de ouvirmos uma boa história, é pensar…
a quem
é que a vamos contar?
As ilustrações, em fortes tons de azul, rosa e roxo, acompanham a leitura na perfeição, mas a nota final do autor transmite toda a sua experiência de vida e a vontade de aproveitá-la de forma positiva, para que o paradigma deixe de ser o “nós” contra “eles” e, em última instância, “eu” contra os “outros”.
Hoje, em vez de perguntar às pessoas o que é que elas querem, a pergunta que lhes faço é “Como é que te queres sentir?” Uma vez que nos sintamos seguros, todos queremos sentir que estamos integrados, que pertencemos a algo. Queremos ter importância. E há um número crescente de pessoas em desespero por sentirem que não a têm. Que, ao invés, foram esquecidas, que não contam, que não têm lugar na história coletiva da sociedade moderna.
September 1, 2023
I just love his style and sparse use of words. The end of this book has an essay on why he chose to write this book for adults and it is the best part of the book. I could've done with a little more detail like in his kids books, and little more POV but overall a nice little book.
March 31, 2023
This was really dumb. The art was amateur, the font choice was nigh unreadable, and it sounded like the vague ramblings of a high Abe Simpson. Absolutely trash.
February 17, 2024
Ráda se k tomuhle autorovi vracím. Kéž by všechny dětské knihy předávaly takové poselství, jako ty jeho. A kéž by všechny vypadaly tak krásně.
4/5*
4/5*
October 28, 2024
arte mais linda do mundo! e o texto do final que me pegou
November 28, 2023
I really like everything I've read by Oliver Jeffers. I think he has something incredibly important to say to us all in this particular moment we find ourselves in. Begin Again is Jeffers first picture book for adults and it includes a brilliant essay at the end about Jeffers impulse for writing the book, his life growing up amidst the conflict in Northern Ireland, and his desire to tell a better story for humanity beyond the ones that divide us. The art is also lovely.
October 13, 2023
5 stars for gorgeous art & the kind of optimism that makes me cry in the 2nd floor back room
January 2, 2024
“Being right is about proving the past while being better is about building the future.”
February 3, 2024
Beautiful and hopeful for a better future!
January 16, 2025
This book was gifted to me by one of my favourite people around at the office, and it touched me to my very core.
The book can be read on two levels, one that adresses children with their sense of curiosity as to where we come from, what we are, and what can be made; And one for adults, with their sense of disenchantement as to what humans have done to each other and to the world in general.
I myself am bearing a sense of hollowness inside, because of the horrors of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, so I could totally relate to the story and to the essay on which Jeffers elaborated his thoughts on the general human condition, using his perspective as an Irish that had also the opportunity to live in North America and therefore palpate the different perspectives on such matters.
Building walls and isolating ourselves, both as individuals and also as a social entity, does not only harm the one that we alienated from who we are and identified as ``others``, but alianates us from who we are. We are social beings, and even if we had beauty around us, what is its value if not shared?
The gorgeous artistic pages capture his ideas so well, I spent quality time with my kiddos contemplating them and deciphering the messages they entailed.
Sometimes, ideas seem etheral, beyond the human capacity to interpret or translate into something tangible, like words, paintings, but some artists prove us wrong!
The book can be read on two levels, one that adresses children with their sense of curiosity as to where we come from, what we are, and what can be made; And one for adults, with their sense of disenchantement as to what humans have done to each other and to the world in general.
I myself am bearing a sense of hollowness inside, because of the horrors of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, so I could totally relate to the story and to the essay on which Jeffers elaborated his thoughts on the general human condition, using his perspective as an Irish that had also the opportunity to live in North America and therefore palpate the different perspectives on such matters.
Building walls and isolating ourselves, both as individuals and also as a social entity, does not only harm the one that we alienated from who we are and identified as ``others``, but alianates us from who we are. We are social beings, and even if we had beauty around us, what is its value if not shared?
The gorgeous artistic pages capture his ideas so well, I spent quality time with my kiddos contemplating them and deciphering the messages they entailed.
Sometimes, ideas seem etheral, beyond the human capacity to interpret or translate into something tangible, like words, paintings, but some artists prove us wrong!
Read
October 4, 2023Dnf
November 14, 2023
I loved this picture book for adults. It is clear this author is creative. Such a great message in the book, too!
June 19, 2025
Cartea scrisă de Oliver Jeffers și tradusă de Petru Aron Costeschi - "De la începuturi" - este o reflecție cu iz filozofic despre povestea omului, de unde am început și unde ne îndreptăm 🌠
Apărut la @panda_carti.copii volumul este o lectură excelentă pentru întreaga familie, în care fiecare membru culege emoții și gânduri în funcție de vârstă 🤓 Cei mici pot afla despre cum focul ne-a schimbat complet traiectoria, dar și cum viitorul este în mâinile noastre 🧒 Adulții pot intra în substraturile lecturii, care aduc în discuție caracterul fugitiv al clipei 🌏
Poveștile nu sunt doar un instrument bun de a ne înțelege trecutul, ci și o unealtă ce ne ajută să construim viitorul, în timp ce trăim cu responsabilitate și curiozitate prezentul 👣 Lectura nu este una obișnuită, cu prințese sau dragoni, ci este un prieten ce ne învață despre om și societate 🌳 Însă o astfel de poveste adevărată este necesară, măcar din când în când, pentru a aduce un echilibru în viețile noastre și pentru a pune bazele unui viitor mai bun 🤍
Apărut la @panda_carti.copii volumul este o lectură excelentă pentru întreaga familie, în care fiecare membru culege emoții și gânduri în funcție de vârstă 🤓 Cei mici pot afla despre cum focul ne-a schimbat complet traiectoria, dar și cum viitorul este în mâinile noastre 🧒 Adulții pot intra în substraturile lecturii, care aduc în discuție caracterul fugitiv al clipei 🌏
Poveștile nu sunt doar un instrument bun de a ne înțelege trecutul, ci și o unealtă ce ne ajută să construim viitorul, în timp ce trăim cu responsabilitate și curiozitate prezentul 👣 Lectura nu este una obișnuită, cu prințese sau dragoni, ci este un prieten ce ne învață despre om și societate 🌳 Însă o astfel de poveste adevărată este necesară, măcar din când în când, pentru a aduce un echilibru în viețile noastre și pentru a pune bazele unui viitor mai bun 🤍
January 2, 2024
Oliver Jeffers reads to the fifth all the ignorant and narrow minded people of the world through vivid colors and beautiful illustrations.
“We should know by now… that while it’s wise to keep an eye on the past (for we often repeat our mistakes) if we keep both eye on the past we are blind. For we are not going that way.”
“We should know by now… that while it’s wise to keep an eye on the past (for we often repeat our mistakes) if we keep both eye on the past we are blind. For we are not going that way.”
January 24, 2025
ok so im babysitting and pull this book off the 2yr old’s shelf and it kinda wrecked me ?? and also was so beautiful ? anyways i ordered a copy for MYSELF bc i loved it so much and i normally wouldn’t put a kids book on my goodreads but this was a must <3
December 8, 2023
Super bellino, i disegni sono molto semplici ma tenerelli e le tematiche trattate sono molteplici in maniera non complessa ma diretta. Credo che l'idea sia di farlo leggere ai bambini ma sincera credo che più adulti dovrebbero leggerlo e farsi due domande e due riflessioni in più.
October 5, 2023
It was a joy to attend Jeffers’ book tour for this in Colorado. It’s as if he wrote for adults, or just a more broad audience, of some of my favorite children’s books of his - Here We Are and What We’ll Build.
April 14, 2025
I saw Begin Again by Oliver Jeffers in the library, and I bought it and hope to read it.
It is beautiful.
It is more like a thought experiment. Why are we the way we are, and can we do better?
Humans living on Earth should have learned by now that our common hope. Humans draw invisible lines on maps and put weapons and walls to separate them from us.
It is the way we see our differences that make us not being kind to each other.
I like the good nature and understanding of this writer. If more people are like that, there would not be war. We could all share and break down barriers instead of reinforcing them.
5 stars 🌟 ⭐️ 🌟 ⭐️ 🌟
2nd time reading.
“And in an age where we have been taught to think of ourselves first- that we as individuals are all important- it is understandable that when our personal stories seems left to the wayside, we feel defeated or angered. What we need to understand, though, is that “it’s not all about me”. To build a better future, we need to think towards the collective, what might work communally. But how do we change how we’re taught or think?” — Oliver Jeffers
“Around the world, there is a growing trend towards nationalism, where disparate groups are brought together behind a similar story. Old stories are forgotten in the face of a bigger, seemingly more important one. The stories that bind these groups tend to be haeful ones, offering something or someone to blame rather than a sense of purpose. But it works because these new stories include the people they are being told to. They are giving people who feel forgotten a sense of purpose, however shallow
But there must be a better way. AQ more powerful story that binds, rather than tears, the fabric of society. I’ve always believed the most powerful human emotion is not hate, not fear, not even love, but hope. Hope separates us from other animals, as it requires imagination about an unwritten future. The ink of the next few hastily written ines of that untold story of the world we might live in is barely dry, and we are already wary of its premise” — Oliver Jeffers
It is beautiful. It is art. It is thoughtful.
This is the second time I read this. And after Trump was elected the second time. It has a new meaning.
5 stars read.
It is beautiful.
It is more like a thought experiment. Why are we the way we are, and can we do better?
Humans living on Earth should have learned by now that our common hope. Humans draw invisible lines on maps and put weapons and walls to separate them from us.
It is the way we see our differences that make us not being kind to each other.
I like the good nature and understanding of this writer. If more people are like that, there would not be war. We could all share and break down barriers instead of reinforcing them.
5 stars 🌟 ⭐️ 🌟 ⭐️ 🌟
2nd time reading.
“And in an age where we have been taught to think of ourselves first- that we as individuals are all important- it is understandable that when our personal stories seems left to the wayside, we feel defeated or angered. What we need to understand, though, is that “it’s not all about me”. To build a better future, we need to think towards the collective, what might work communally. But how do we change how we’re taught or think?” — Oliver Jeffers
“Around the world, there is a growing trend towards nationalism, where disparate groups are brought together behind a similar story. Old stories are forgotten in the face of a bigger, seemingly more important one. The stories that bind these groups tend to be haeful ones, offering something or someone to blame rather than a sense of purpose. But it works because these new stories include the people they are being told to. They are giving people who feel forgotten a sense of purpose, however shallow
But there must be a better way. AQ more powerful story that binds, rather than tears, the fabric of society. I’ve always believed the most powerful human emotion is not hate, not fear, not even love, but hope. Hope separates us from other animals, as it requires imagination about an unwritten future. The ink of the next few hastily written ines of that untold story of the world we might live in is barely dry, and we are already wary of its premise” — Oliver Jeffers
It is beautiful. It is art. It is thoughtful.
This is the second time I read this. And after Trump was elected the second time. It has a new meaning.
5 stars read.
December 2, 2024
Ilustração bonita e questões muito humanas, mas com uma visão muito careta da humanidade.
Não é um livro pra crianças, não é um livro pra adultos que de fato pensam em questões filosóficas. É um livro pra professores e outros educadores já meio defasados que acreditam muito na Leitura e se comovem com a Poesia da Vida. Não é um livro pra mim. E quando li até pensei que podia respeitar que pode ser pra outras pessoas, mas hoje é o dia seguinte e a real é que não respeito, não.
Primeiro, achei que o problema estava na falta de uma edição maior e melhor - o texto podia ser mais trabalhado, mais condensado, ficaria mais impactante. Mas a real é que a mensagem do livro só é... ruim. O Jeffers entrou numa brisa ali quando teve filho e cometeu o erro de não ler filosofia. Leiam filosofia toda vez que vocês entrarem em crise.
Sei lá, eu tenho mais coisa pra criticar, mas daí teria que dar uma olhada no livro de novo e não quero fazer isso.
No fim das contas, eu 100% entraria numa briga contra alguém que amou esse livro.
Não é um livro pra crianças, não é um livro pra adultos que de fato pensam em questões filosóficas. É um livro pra professores e outros educadores já meio defasados que acreditam muito na Leitura e se comovem com a Poesia da Vida. Não é um livro pra mim. E quando li até pensei que podia respeitar que pode ser pra outras pessoas, mas hoje é o dia seguinte e a real é que não respeito, não.
Primeiro, achei que o problema estava na falta de uma edição maior e melhor - o texto podia ser mais trabalhado, mais condensado, ficaria mais impactante. Mas a real é que a mensagem do livro só é... ruim. O Jeffers entrou numa brisa ali quando teve filho e cometeu o erro de não ler filosofia. Leiam filosofia toda vez que vocês entrarem em crise.
Sei lá, eu tenho mais coisa pra criticar, mas daí teria que dar uma olhada no livro de novo e não quero fazer isso.
No fim das contas, eu 100% entraria numa briga contra alguém que amou esse livro.
January 12, 2024
I’ve always enjoyed Oliver Jeffers - this one just didn’t work for me.
It lacked a through line and a focus. The art was even more sparse than normal.
The best children’s books let the children come to their own realizations, and if an author feels they have to justify their intentions with an essay at the back - then he himself took issue with it.
It lacked a through line and a focus. The art was even more sparse than normal.
The best children’s books let the children come to their own realizations, and if an author feels they have to justify their intentions with an essay at the back - then he himself took issue with it.
January 18, 2024
Gorgeous art, striking colour scheme, but the story descends into self-indulgent babble that doesn't necessarily make sense, which means it has limited scope to prompt critical thinking, yet also isn't an interesting narrative.
(The essay at the end just felt like more of the self indulgent babble, but without the gorgeous artwork.)
Not for me!
(The essay at the end just felt like more of the self indulgent babble, but without the gorgeous artwork.)
Not for me!
October 14, 2023
So long…..
January 15, 2024
Lovely existentialism for kids & grown-ups
Read
April 16, 2024Cant say you get a good experience of the story’s artwork when you have the audio version. Why is there an audio version lol
August 15, 2024
Alleen al het formaat van het boek en de bijzondere cover, laten je direct zien dat dit niet zomaar een boek is, maar een bijzonder en speciaal boek. Het vorige boek van Oliver Jeffers stond al op mijn verlanglijstje, maar daar ben ik nog altijd niet aan toegekomen. Met de aankondiging van dit nieuwe boek én de kans op een recensie-exemplaar, kon ik natuurlijk mijn kans niet laten lopen. Ik ben erg benieuwd.
Een geïllustreerd boek dat geschikt is voor alle leeftijden. Oliver Jeffers vertelt over de korte geschiedenis van de mensheid en deelt zijn dromen hoe we nu met z'n allen verder moeten om onze aarde zo lang mogelijk fijn en bewoonbaar te houden. Oliver Jeffers maakt gedurfde, iconische en kleurrijke illustraties, waarbij hij door middel van weinig, maar wel krachtige woorden commentaar geeft op ons heden en je na laat denken, hoe gaan we vanuit hier verder? Kunnen we samen met nieuwe verhalen en nieuwe systemen een duurzame toekomst creëren?
Wauwie!! Dit is echt een bijzonder, mooi en krachtig verhaal. Wat een prachtige, unieke en krachtige illustratiestijl heeft Oliver Jeffers. Hij weet door middel van simpele illustraties krachtige boodschappen bij je binnen te laten komen. Daarbij heeft hij gekozen voor een bijzonder en origineel kleurenpalet van donkerblauwe tinten, wit en neon roze.
In combinatie met zijn krachtige en doeltreffende illustraties weet Oliver Jeffers ook een bijzonder en mooi verhaal neer te zetten. Zijn verhaal laat je nadenken over ons leven op aarde en onze toekomst. Wat ik erg krachtig vind aan zijn verhaal is dat Oliver Jeffers weet uit te zoomen. Keer op keer loopt het verhaal als het ware 'vast', waardoor hij een helikopterview aanneemt en dingen op positieve wijze van een wat grotere afstand bekijkt. Dit maakt dat hij tot krachtige inzichten komt die je echt aan het denken zetten.
Het verhaal dat bij zijn illustraties staat is summier, maar zijn krachtige en goed doordachte zinnen en woorden. En vertelt hij een verhaal dat geschikt is voor alle leeftijden. Aan het einde van het verhaal volgt nog een mooi gedicht dat het verhaal echt compleet en volledig afrondt.
Wat ik een erg bijzondere toevoeging vond aan dit verhaal is het persoonlijke verhaal van Oliver Jeffers dat daarna volgt over zijn eigen leven, persoonlijke ervaringen waardoor hij tot dit verhaal is gekomen. Voor mij maakt hij hiermee het verhaal echt tot een must-have.
Begin is een prachtig geïllustreerd prentenboek dat een bijzondere, krachtige en mooie boodschap vertelt over onze geschiedenis op de aarde en hoe we kunnen zorgen voor een positieve en duurzame toekomst. Het is een verhaal dat geschikt is voor alle leeftijden en die je echt aan het denken zet. Erg bijzonder en echt een aanrader!
Een geïllustreerd boek dat geschikt is voor alle leeftijden. Oliver Jeffers vertelt over de korte geschiedenis van de mensheid en deelt zijn dromen hoe we nu met z'n allen verder moeten om onze aarde zo lang mogelijk fijn en bewoonbaar te houden. Oliver Jeffers maakt gedurfde, iconische en kleurrijke illustraties, waarbij hij door middel van weinig, maar wel krachtige woorden commentaar geeft op ons heden en je na laat denken, hoe gaan we vanuit hier verder? Kunnen we samen met nieuwe verhalen en nieuwe systemen een duurzame toekomst creëren?
Wauwie!! Dit is echt een bijzonder, mooi en krachtig verhaal. Wat een prachtige, unieke en krachtige illustratiestijl heeft Oliver Jeffers. Hij weet door middel van simpele illustraties krachtige boodschappen bij je binnen te laten komen. Daarbij heeft hij gekozen voor een bijzonder en origineel kleurenpalet van donkerblauwe tinten, wit en neon roze.
In combinatie met zijn krachtige en doeltreffende illustraties weet Oliver Jeffers ook een bijzonder en mooi verhaal neer te zetten. Zijn verhaal laat je nadenken over ons leven op aarde en onze toekomst. Wat ik erg krachtig vind aan zijn verhaal is dat Oliver Jeffers weet uit te zoomen. Keer op keer loopt het verhaal als het ware 'vast', waardoor hij een helikopterview aanneemt en dingen op positieve wijze van een wat grotere afstand bekijkt. Dit maakt dat hij tot krachtige inzichten komt die je echt aan het denken zetten.
Het verhaal dat bij zijn illustraties staat is summier, maar zijn krachtige en goed doordachte zinnen en woorden. En vertelt hij een verhaal dat geschikt is voor alle leeftijden. Aan het einde van het verhaal volgt nog een mooi gedicht dat het verhaal echt compleet en volledig afrondt.
Wat ik een erg bijzondere toevoeging vond aan dit verhaal is het persoonlijke verhaal van Oliver Jeffers dat daarna volgt over zijn eigen leven, persoonlijke ervaringen waardoor hij tot dit verhaal is gekomen. Voor mij maakt hij hiermee het verhaal echt tot een must-have.
Begin is een prachtig geïllustreerd prentenboek dat een bijzondere, krachtige en mooie boodschap vertelt over onze geschiedenis op de aarde en hoe we kunnen zorgen voor een positieve en duurzame toekomst. Het is een verhaal dat geschikt is voor alle leeftijden en die je echt aan het denken zet. Erg bijzonder en echt een aanrader!
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October 31, 2024"Mensen houden van warmte, op hun huid én in hun hart."
Oliver Jeffers neemt je met het geïllustreerde 'Begin' mee op een reis door de geschiedenis en ontstaan van de mens. Hij tracht zijn lezers te inspireren om na te denken over hun rol in de wereld en hoe ze kunnen bijdragen aan een betere toekomst voor de volgende generaties. Het boek biedt een beknopte geschiedenis van de mensheid en de impact die we met z'n allen hebben op onze planeet.
In een beperkt aantal pagina's vol kleurrijke illustraties neemt hij je mee naar het ontstaan van de mensheid en wat we tot nu toe hebben gedaan met onze opgebouwde kennis. Uit zijn tekeningen blijkt een kritische blik op wat we doen met deze kennis. Hij wijst hiermee op valkuilen, zonder een negatieve sfeer te creëren. Hij stelt terechte vragen over waar we naartoe gaan, welke kant we wel of niet kunnen opgaan en wat dat ons kan opleveren. Welke toekomst willen we en wat ons aandeel hierin kan zijn.
Elke pagina verdient je aandacht; je ziet telkens net weer iets anders, een detail dat je eerder nog niet opviel. Aan het einde van het boek is er een nawoord van de auteur met meer duiding over waarom hij dit boek wilde maken en wat voor hem de aanleiding was. Dit is zeker de moeite waard om te lezen.
Dit boek, met harde kaft, ligt in de lijn van andere geïllustreerde boeken met inspirerende verhalen en is zeker de moeite waard te lezen. De illustraties zijn heel mooi en het gebruik van het iets fellere roze vind ik goed passend. De illustraties vragen om beter bekeken te worden en dragen bij tot het verhaal en de boodschap van Oliver Jeffers. Het boek is geschikt voor alle leeftijden en kan perfect als cadeau gegeven worden aan een liefhebber.
Oliver Jeffers neemt je met het geïllustreerde 'Begin' mee op een reis door de geschiedenis en ontstaan van de mens. Hij tracht zijn lezers te inspireren om na te denken over hun rol in de wereld en hoe ze kunnen bijdragen aan een betere toekomst voor de volgende generaties. Het boek biedt een beknopte geschiedenis van de mensheid en de impact die we met z'n allen hebben op onze planeet.
In een beperkt aantal pagina's vol kleurrijke illustraties neemt hij je mee naar het ontstaan van de mensheid en wat we tot nu toe hebben gedaan met onze opgebouwde kennis. Uit zijn tekeningen blijkt een kritische blik op wat we doen met deze kennis. Hij wijst hiermee op valkuilen, zonder een negatieve sfeer te creëren. Hij stelt terechte vragen over waar we naartoe gaan, welke kant we wel of niet kunnen opgaan en wat dat ons kan opleveren. Welke toekomst willen we en wat ons aandeel hierin kan zijn.
Elke pagina verdient je aandacht; je ziet telkens net weer iets anders, een detail dat je eerder nog niet opviel. Aan het einde van het boek is er een nawoord van de auteur met meer duiding over waarom hij dit boek wilde maken en wat voor hem de aanleiding was. Dit is zeker de moeite waard om te lezen.
Dit boek, met harde kaft, ligt in de lijn van andere geïllustreerde boeken met inspirerende verhalen en is zeker de moeite waard te lezen. De illustraties zijn heel mooi en het gebruik van het iets fellere roze vind ik goed passend. De illustraties vragen om beter bekeken te worden en dragen bij tot het verhaal en de boodschap van Oliver Jeffers. Het boek is geschikt voor alle leeftijden en kan perfect als cadeau gegeven worden aan een liefhebber.
September 30, 2023
If anyone needs me I’ll be in a heap on the floor. Jeffers is a beautiful mind, and probably the most culturally significant children’s author since Dr. Seuss. In fact, Dr. Seuss WISHES he could capture this level of feeling and whimsy and literal tears in his work. The essay at the end is shattering. Everyone should read this book.
March 22, 2025
"and the first thing we do after laughing at a good joke or hearing a good story, is think..
who can we tell it to?"
"for there is wild beauty in this life on earth
and hope wherever you look for it."
who can we tell it to?"
"for there is wild beauty in this life on earth
and hope wherever you look for it."
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