Celia

by Christelle Vallat, Stéphanie Augusseau (Illustrator)

Celia is the town listener. She listens to people’s little problems, big problems, and all the in-between problems. Once they have shared their troubles with her and let them go—giving her their seeds of sorrow—they feel lighter and happier. Celia has the wonderful ability to take these seeds and turn them into magical balloons, twinkling stars, and blooming flowers—literally painting the world with color. When a young boy named Julian feels sad, he waits in line to see Celia. But before he gets to the front of the line, he realizes that he has lost his seed and will be unable to give it to Celia. Oh no! Now how will he find a way to be happy again?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, International, Emotion, Kids, Fiction, Friendship

36 pages, Hardcover

First published May 3, 2012

About the author

Christelle Vallat has written many books while working in her dream job--teaching! One of her biggest satisfactions comes from inspiring her young students. She loves spending hours in libraries and bookstores, knee-deep in books. She lives in Saint-Jean-en-Royans, France.

Reviews

[Storywraps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Celia is an old woman who has a very special gift. She listens to people's problems and worries and in exchange gives them her advice every Sunday. The burdened people line up and tell her their woes in exchange for a seed. Why would Celia ask for a seed? Well on Monday morning she puts the seeds in a wheelbarrow and heads into town. She takes those seeds and scatters them into the sky, magically causing big colourful balloons to appear. She wings some seeds into the local bakery and enchants the cupcakes and cakes with beautiful, colourful frosting. Heading to the countryside those windblown seeds become apple trees and turn into shining stars at night.

Oddly enough she finds a lonesome seed that someone has lost. It belongs to a little boy named Julian and she seeks him out and takes him home and helps him plant his seed in a flower pot. Together they water, nurture, and patiently watch the seed grow into a pretty flower. This act of kindness makes both she and Julian very happy and the anxiety and worry that he once carried around dissipates as they bond together as friends.

The art is amazing and the character of Celia perfect. The black and white world that surrounds them bursts with colour as the people's problems, once shared, are transformed by Celcia into bold, splashes of colour that give life, beauty and vitality to their once mundane and colourless world. The story is uplifting and shows the value of kindness and friendship.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, everyone! Today, we read Celia, written by Christelle Vallat and illustrated by Stéphanie Augusseau, a story about a boy in need and an old woman who listens.

Celia is a listener. Each Sunday, a line of townspeople form at her home, and whisper their concerns and problems and worries. In return for her kindness, they each give her a seed, which she sows into flowers and cupcake frosting and colors come Monday. One Sunday, a little boy named Julian is in line, but finds he has lost his seed! How will he rid himself of his worries if he cannot whisper them to Celia?

This is an English translation of a Belgian picture book, and while the art is very colorful and beautiful, I cannot help but feel that something got lost in the translation of the text. There are definitely metaphors to be found here: on friendship, patience, kindness and optimism, even the value of talking about your troubles instead of bottling them up. In fact, there are so many metaphors that fit together in such complex ways, I was left scratching my head a bit at the end, wondering if the main point of the story had gotten past me. Maybe that’s good thing? It’s definitely one that, for better or worse, you will ponder over after it’s closed. With that in mind, this one may be better suited for slightly older kids; while the length was fine, and the colors were nice, JJ was not overly interested in the story. Still, definitely an interesting book, and one that other readers may enjoy, so Baby Bookworm approved.

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Courtney K · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cool illustrations, but the story was lacking for me.

[Anne Lutomia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story about listening, exchanging, and finding happiness. The drawings are simple and pleasantly colorful.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The juxtaposition of the black and white and color illustrations is lovely. The story is sweet, but I wanted more.

[marvellings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every Sunday, the people in the town line up outside Celia's home. One by one, the old woman listens to each of their worries and sorrows, until they feel a little lighter. In exchange, they each give her a seed. On Monday, she gathers the seeds in a wheelbarrow and goes to work spreading her magic: turning the seeds into balloons, cupcakes, apples, flowers, even stars in the sky.

But one Sunday, a little boy named Julian reaches into his back pocket, and realizes his seed is missing. When Celia finds him later in the week, he is distressed because he wasn't able to let go of his sadness. But Celia finds his seed, and shows Julian how to care for it. As he visits her every day to water the seed, the two talk and share cookies, until one day the seed finally blooms.

What a truly beautiful book. Some may read into Celia's listening as a religious ritual like confession, but I choose to read it as companionship or therapy. In any case, the story is warm and lovely, and Augusseau's art is full of magic. I'm very glad this was translated so it can reach a wider audience beyond Belgium.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Celia is the town listener. After listening to people whisper their troubles, sorrows, and worries, they "feel lighter and happier." In return for her services, they give Celia a seed.

Amazing use of color in these illustrations.
When the townspeople are lined up in the beginning to talk to Celia, all is black and white. When talking (with Celia listening), the tear shapes above are also black and white. After, there is a little pink in the first visitors' cheeks. and the background is rosy. The next day, as Celia spreads the seeds, they become balloons for the children to play with, decorations on the desserts in the bakery window, and apples on an apple tree.

I think we could all use a lot more Celias!

Author lives in Saint-Jen-en-Royans, France and illustrator Stephanie Augusseau lives in Toulon, France.
First published in Belgium under the title Zelie, 2012 Alice Editions.
First English edition 2014, Peter Pauper Press, NY. (English translation Copyright Peter Pauper -- no name given.)

[K.L. Bernard · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are lots of religions from around the world. Many of the followers who are bonded to their faith pray in one way or another. Young readers will learn about different religions, where the followers pray, the books they hold dear, and how they pray.

Young readers of all ages will enjoy learning that Christians, Jews and Muslims all pray. Some cultures pray in churches, or mosques and even temples. Some cultures pray with books, beads or candles. Water is often used in ceremonies too. People pray when they are happy and sad. Prayer is healing and can teach the heart the most precious light.

This enlightening tool is simplistic and perfect for any home library. Curious readers will learn about many types of religions and cultures along with illustrator notes that share a visual account of churches, synagogues and mosques. Teaching children to embrace the differences can also show what similarities we all share.

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age: Kindergarten-3rd grade

What a lovely and insightful book that examines the healing power of discussion and spending one-on-one time with someone.

"Celia is the town listener. She listens to people's little problems, big problems, and all the in-between problems. Once they have shared their troubles with her and let them go--giving her the seeds of sorrow--they feel lighter and happier" (Inside jacket description). Celia then turns the seeds to life and transforms them into things which give happiness, donning the pages with beautiful circular bursts of color against a grey, penciled background.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whenever her neighbors have problems or concerns, Celia is the one that listens to them. Since they pay her with a seed, one small boy figures he can't get rid of his sorrows because he's lost his seed. After scattering the seeds of sorrow in happy ways, Celia finds Julian's seed. Together, they plant it, nurture it and watch it grow into something bright and happy. I'm not sure that I agree that happiness springs from sadness, but I do find the book's message of affirmation reassuring as well as being pleased to be reminded that life always contains joy and sorrow. I some respects it must be hard to be Celia, always hearing those sad stories from others.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published in 2012 in Belgium under the title Zélie.
Beautiful use of color, and I love that as readers we aren't told the people's worries, sorrows, and problems, but that they are left to the imagination. What a beautifully powerful tale.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this story and the illustrations.

[Iroquois · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story about how simply listening to others can help them and put color back in the world.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An uplifting story that suggests beauty can be found in happiness through the seed of sadness.

[Liz Garden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book about kindness and friendship and how if you share your troubles with someone else, it can lighten the load for you.

[Lauren White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good for grades k-3

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was the artwork that drew me to this book, which turns out was its best feature. i was not wild about the plot and the writing.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice story of the importance of having someone to listen to you. But who listens to Celia? Maybe I didn't 'get it.'

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely story about sharing feelings. Beautiful illustrations and use of color.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just didn't care for this one really.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the message of encouraging kids to talk about their worries.