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The Call of the Swamp
A sweetly offbeat adoption story
Boris is a normal he goes to school and rides his bike and climbs trees, just like all the other children. It doesn't matter that he has scales and gills, or that his parents found him in a swamp when he was just a baby. But one day Boris catches the scent of his old home, and suddenly he's not quite sure where he belongs. He journeys to the swamp, filled with questions, and eventually discovers the only answer he needs.
From the creators of The Queen of the Frogs comes an enchanting, nuanced story about adoption and family.
Boris is a normal he goes to school and rides his bike and climbs trees, just like all the other children. It doesn't matter that he has scales and gills, or that his parents found him in a swamp when he was just a baby. But one day Boris catches the scent of his old home, and suddenly he's not quite sure where he belongs. He journeys to the swamp, filled with questions, and eventually discovers the only answer he needs.
From the creators of The Queen of the Frogs comes an enchanting, nuanced story about adoption and family.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 11, 2016
3 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Davide Calì
207 books131 followersDavide Calì is a Swiss-born Italian writer of picture books and graphic novels, primarily for children and young adults. He lives in Italy. His work has been published in twenty-five countries and translated into many languages.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
May 31, 2017
In a lovely adoption story, a creature from the swamp learns that "home is where the heart is". One day, a childless couple find a newborn at the edge of the swamp. He seems to be abandoned or has lost his parents. The happy couple raise Boris as their son. He has gills making him unique, He learns to bike ride, climb trees, and make friends at school. On a windy day, the smell of the swamp wafts through the air. Boris leaves home and is reunited with creatures that have gills just like him. Who is his real family? Boris learns that looking like others does not create family bonds. He now knows who his real family is.
"The Call of the Swamp" by David Cali is an excellent young children's book about adoption. The beautiful illustrations by Marco Soma add to the book's message.
Thank you Eerdmans Books for Young Readers and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "The Call of the Swamp".
"The Call of the Swamp" by David Cali is an excellent young children's book about adoption. The beautiful illustrations by Marco Soma add to the book's message.
Thank you Eerdmans Books for Young Readers and Net Galley for the opportunity to read and review "The Call of the Swamp".
April 27, 2018
Yes, it is awkward being an axolotl adopted by humans...
Lovely illustrations.
Lovely illustrations.
December 20, 2017
Beautiful illustrations, charming story and remarkable message; these are what The Call of The Swamp consists. Though the wordings are a little complicated for young readers to grasp, this would still be a great book to read to them.
January 24, 2018
I took me a while to understand this book. A couple finds a "baby" gills like a fish at the swamp and they adopt him. They call him Boris and give him the happiest life possible. But Boris feels the swamp calling for him. He finally follows the scent of the swamp, and comes back to live there for a while, before he starts missing the town and his family.
What is the message? Nature vs. nurture? Respectful love, as Boris' parents feel for him?
I think the answer is what Boris wonders while he rides back to town at the end of the story: "How much like us do those we love have to be? (...) Maybe our family is simply the ones we love? And the ones who love us back?"
I received this copy in an Early Reviewers Giveaway in LibraryThing.
What is the message? Nature vs. nurture? Respectful love, as Boris' parents feel for him?
I think the answer is what Boris wonders while he rides back to town at the end of the story: "How much like us do those we love have to be? (...) Maybe our family is simply the ones we love? And the ones who love us back?"
I received this copy in an Early Reviewers Giveaway in LibraryThing.
September 9, 2017
The artwork is what grabbed me with this one. It was just so beautiful and delicate. The story? Well, let's just say that if reviews didn't talk about this being about adoption, I probably wouldn't have figured it out, because it was not overt and I can be dense at times.
I don't think the story works very well, because the wording was somewhat awkward and the whole adoption thing was very, very subtle. I tried to read it from a whole adoption point of view and honestly had difficultly with it. I am from a traditional family and do not know anyone who has been adopted or gone through the adoption process, so maybe that was what was causing my inability to connect with the storyline. Not the story's fault, completely mine for not being able to stretch to see from that POV.
I find the more I read, the more I have to learn about the world and how others view it.
So this was a good book for helping me to see glaring holes in my thought/imagining process, but I don't know how it would really help a child who was adopted to accept their adoption.
It is sweet and thoughtful, but I don't know how well it works in real life with real children. It is an option and might be helpful. 3, I'm not sure how to rate this, as I just couldn't connect with it, stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company EBYR for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
I don't think the story works very well, because the wording was somewhat awkward and the whole adoption thing was very, very subtle. I tried to read it from a whole adoption point of view and honestly had difficultly with it. I am from a traditional family and do not know anyone who has been adopted or gone through the adoption process, so maybe that was what was causing my inability to connect with the storyline. Not the story's fault, completely mine for not being able to stretch to see from that POV.
I find the more I read, the more I have to learn about the world and how others view it.
So this was a good book for helping me to see glaring holes in my thought/imagining process, but I don't know how it would really help a child who was adopted to accept their adoption.
It is sweet and thoughtful, but I don't know how well it works in real life with real children. It is an option and might be helpful. 3, I'm not sure how to rate this, as I just couldn't connect with it, stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company EBYR for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
December 21, 2022
Il richiamo della palude è un albo illustrato per bambini che offre chiari spunti per affrontare il tema delle adozioni. Si dimostra, inoltre, altrettanto efficace per sviscerare sensazioni familiari a molti di noi come dubbi della gioventù e pene per il cuore. https://ilmondodichri.com/il-richiamo...
January 10, 2018
a little swamp baby named boris who struggles to find where he belongs in the world.
omg. how can you not LOVE it?!?
adorable, inventive.
omg. how can you not LOVE it?!?
adorable, inventive.
June 8, 2017
One day, a childless couple find a newborn at the edge of the swamp. They do not see any parents so worried about him, they take him home and raise them as his own. They call him Boris. He is a little different as he has gills, but he learns to bike ride, climb trees, and make friends at school just like any other boy. One windy day, the salty smell of the swamp wafts through the air and Boris begins to question his life. Boris leaves home and finds a new family, one with creatures that have gills just like him. Who is his real family? He was not comfortable in the swamp and realized that was not where he belongs either. I love that his adoptive parents tell him they brought him home because they loved him and wanted to keep him safe. I also like that Boris realized that you do not have to look like your family to love them. "Family is where the heart is". The illustrations are wonderful. They are detailed and show the emotions of the characters. They add a lot to the story. This is a wonderful story to share with children who have been adopted. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
May 25, 2017
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance reader copy of this book.
You can find my review on both Goodreads and Amazon. On goodreads.com/karenwhittard on Amazon under k.e.whittard from publication date. And on instagram.com/bookfairyuk
A very sweet tale about adoption. Boris is a normal kid he likes to climb trees and ride his bike. It doesn't matter that he doesn't look like everyone else or that his parents found him in a swamp. But one day boris catches the scent of his old home and all of a sudden he isn't sure where he belongs anymore. So he ventures back to the swamp with lots of questions and finds the only answer that he really needs. A very sweet and lovely tale with wonderful illustrations.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance reader copy of this book.
You can find my review on both Goodreads and Amazon. On goodreads.com/karenwhittard on Amazon under k.e.whittard from publication date. And on instagram.com/bookfairyuk
A very sweet tale about adoption. Boris is a normal kid he likes to climb trees and ride his bike. It doesn't matter that he doesn't look like everyone else or that his parents found him in a swamp. But one day boris catches the scent of his old home and all of a sudden he isn't sure where he belongs anymore. So he ventures back to the swamp with lots of questions and finds the only answer that he really needs. A very sweet and lovely tale with wonderful illustrations.
September 19, 2020
این کتاب آرت خیلی خاص و جالی داشت😃 و محتواش خیلی تامل برانگیز و سنگین بود🌱 موقعی که میخواستم توی گودریدز ثبتش کنم دیدم این کتاب از ایتالیایی ترجمه شده به فارسی و خیلی حس خوبی داشت که فهمیدم یه کتاب ایتالیایی خوندم😍 بالاتر از همه ی این ها، 《ندای مرداب》 رو دوست دارم چون کتاب مورد علاقه دوستمه که به من هدیه داده. امیدوارم شما هم بخونیدش و دوسش داشته باشید🌸
October 5, 2019
عجیب...
باس بنشینم و درست بهش فکر کنم. ولی این قدر می دانم که اگر در کودکی می خواندمش، می رفت یک جایی کنار "مرد عمل" و "خرسی که می خواست خرس باقی بماند" در قفسه عجیب و غریب ها و "کتاب هایی که بهتر است در کودکی خودتان را گرفتارشان نکنید" برای خودش دست و پا می کرد!
باس بنشینم و درست بهش فکر کنم. ولی این قدر می دانم که اگر در کودکی می خواندمش، می رفت یک جایی کنار "مرد عمل" و "خرسی که می خواست خرس باقی بماند" در قفسه عجیب و غریب ها و "کتاب هایی که بهتر است در کودکی خودتان را گرفتارشان نکنید" برای خودش دست و پا می کرد!
September 14, 2017
btained through the early review program, this is quite a delightful book. A couple who are unable to have children, find a baby by the side of a swamp. Gently lifting him up and taking him home, the fact that he has gills is overlooked. And, the little baby becomes a lovely child who seems to need inordinate amounts of water. After some years of adjusting and living with his parents, the smell of the swamp calls to him. Sensing his unhappiness, his parents write a lovely message stating "As long as you are happy; we are happy!"
Finding his way back to the swamp, he immerses his body under the water. Enthralled that he can smile and laugh with his water friends, for a period of time he feels content. But then, the lure and memories of his loving parents, he rises to the top and rides his bike to the home where he wants to remain.
This is an excellent book for foster parents, or parents who have adopted a child. The bottom line is that it is natural to cling to your past, and allow your memories to overtake you. But, eventually, your heart longs for what it knows to be the best family.
Finding his way back to the swamp, he immerses his body under the water. Enthralled that he can smile and laugh with his water friends, for a period of time he feels content. But then, the lure and memories of his loving parents, he rises to the top and rides his bike to the home where he wants to remain.
This is an excellent book for foster parents, or parents who have adopted a child. The bottom line is that it is natural to cling to your past, and allow your memories to overtake you. But, eventually, your heart longs for what it knows to be the best family.
March 10, 2022
Gražios iliustracijos, graži knygelė apie meilę, namus, ilgesį, išskirtinumą... labai joje gausu gražių ir šiltų minčių.
June 4, 2021
سوال کتاب: برای اینکه همدیگه را دوست داشته باشیم،حتما باید شبیه همدیگر باشیم؟" داستانی بینظیر با تصویرگری فوق العاده...بخوانیم و لذت ببریم...
December 21, 2020
Trumpa, bet labai graži ir jautri istorija ne tik vaikams, bet ir suaugusiems apie svarbiausią mūsų turtą – šeimą ir besąlygišką meilę jai.
„Kiek panašūs į mus turi būti žmonės, kad galėtume juos mylėti?“
„Pelkinukas“ – jautrus pasakojimas apie svarbiausias vertybes mums visiems. Tėvai Borį vos gimusį rado pelkėje. Mažylis iškart išsiskyrė savo išvaizda: akys – didelės, vietoj nosies – žiaunos, o kūnas – padengtas žvynais. Nors Boris toks, kaip ir kiti vaikai – važinėjasi dviračiu, eina į mokyklą, karstosi po medžius, o tėvams jis yra pats mylimiausias sūnus, visgi vieną dieną Boris pajaučia pelkės šauksmą – galbūt jo tikrieji namai yra ten, o ne čia? Nors ir sunku, kažkokį sprendimą priimti vis tiek tenka...
Trumputė (vos nepilnų trisdešimties puslapių) knygelė, o savyje talpina tiek daug – pradedant nuostabia ir be galo jautria istorija ir baigiant nenusakomo grožio iliustracijomis!
Rodos, sakinius ant pirštų galima suskaičiuoti (visoje knygoje jų tikrai labai nedaug), tačiau pats pasakojimas, nors ir trumpas, kažką viduje tikrai suvirpino – kartu ir džiaugiausi, ir liūdėjau.
Dažnai mąstau, ar įmanoma mažam vaikui apie rimtus ir svarbius dalykus papasakoti lengvai ir paprastai jam suprantama kalba? Dabar žinau, kad tikrai įmanoma! Nevaisingumo problema, besąlygiška meilė kitam, mylinti šeima, tolerancija ne visai tokiam, koks esi tu, nuoširdumas ir gerumas – tiek telpa šioje mažytėje knygoje ir tai tikrai dar ne viskas. Temos sunkios, o apie jas papasakota taip aiškiai ir paprastai.
Istorija ir jos moralas, tikiu, yra labai reikalingi šių dienų visuomenei. Knyga tikrai ne tik vaikams, bet ir suaugusiems. Tuo mane ir žavi @leidyklaniekorimto knygos. Atrodytų, seniai išaugau iš vaikystės ir paauglystės, bet kurią knygą bepaimčiau į rankas, visos iki vienos randa kelią ir į suaugusiojo širdį, o kartais net ir ašarą nubraukti priverčia.
REKOMENDUOJU! Kiekvienam be išimties. Vaikams, tėvams, seneliams ir net tiems, kurie galvoja, kad vaikiškos knygos tai jau tikrai ne jiems. Skaitykit ir mėgaukitės! Verta!
„Kiek panašūs į mus turi būti žmonės, kad galėtume juos mylėti?“
„Pelkinukas“ – jautrus pasakojimas apie svarbiausias vertybes mums visiems. Tėvai Borį vos gimusį rado pelkėje. Mažylis iškart išsiskyrė savo išvaizda: akys – didelės, vietoj nosies – žiaunos, o kūnas – padengtas žvynais. Nors Boris toks, kaip ir kiti vaikai – važinėjasi dviračiu, eina į mokyklą, karstosi po medžius, o tėvams jis yra pats mylimiausias sūnus, visgi vieną dieną Boris pajaučia pelkės šauksmą – galbūt jo tikrieji namai yra ten, o ne čia? Nors ir sunku, kažkokį sprendimą priimti vis tiek tenka...
Trumputė (vos nepilnų trisdešimties puslapių) knygelė, o savyje talpina tiek daug – pradedant nuostabia ir be galo jautria istorija ir baigiant nenusakomo grožio iliustracijomis!
Rodos, sakinius ant pirštų galima suskaičiuoti (visoje knygoje jų tikrai labai nedaug), tačiau pats pasakojimas, nors ir trumpas, kažką viduje tikrai suvirpino – kartu ir džiaugiausi, ir liūdėjau.
Dažnai mąstau, ar įmanoma mažam vaikui apie rimtus ir svarbius dalykus papasakoti lengvai ir paprastai jam suprantama kalba? Dabar žinau, kad tikrai įmanoma! Nevaisingumo problema, besąlygiška meilė kitam, mylinti šeima, tolerancija ne visai tokiam, koks esi tu, nuoširdumas ir gerumas – tiek telpa šioje mažytėje knygoje ir tai tikrai dar ne viskas. Temos sunkios, o apie jas papasakota taip aiškiai ir paprastai.
Istorija ir jos moralas, tikiu, yra labai reikalingi šių dienų visuomenei. Knyga tikrai ne tik vaikams, bet ir suaugusiems. Tuo mane ir žavi @leidyklaniekorimto knygos. Atrodytų, seniai išaugau iš vaikystės ir paauglystės, bet kurią knygą bepaimčiau į rankas, visos iki vienos randa kelią ir į suaugusiojo širdį, o kartais net ir ašarą nubraukti priverčia.
REKOMENDUOJU! Kiekvienam be išimties. Vaikams, tėvams, seneliams ir net tiems, kurie galvoja, kad vaikiškos knygos tai jau tikrai ne jiems. Skaitykit ir mėgaukitės! Verta!
May 14, 2024
دیدم حیفه اگه چیزی براش ننویسم. :)
تصویرگری کتاب که واقعاً عالیه. هم خیلی قشنگ و چشمنوازه، هم برای محتوا و حسوحال داستان مناسبه.
مفهوم داستان هم که نیاز به تعریف نداره؛ اینکه برای دوست داشتن همدیگه لازم نیست شبیه هم باشیم. اصلاً خودِ دوست داشتنه که باعث نزدیک شدن افراد به هم میشه، نه شباهتها و اشتراکهای بینشون.
خلاصه خیلی خوب بود دیگه. :)
تصویرگری کتاب که واقعاً عالیه. هم خیلی قشنگ و چشمنوازه، هم برای محتوا و حسوحال داستان مناسبه.
مفهوم داستان هم که نیاز به تعریف نداره؛ اینکه برای دوست داشتن همدیگه لازم نیست شبیه هم باشیم. اصلاً خودِ دوست داشتنه که باعث نزدیک شدن افراد به هم میشه، نه شباهتها و اشتراکهای بینشون.
خلاصه خیلی خوب بود دیگه. :)
November 4, 2017
Boris was found as a newborn at the edge of the swamp by his parents. Boris had quite happy days growing up, though he was different than the people around him. His eyes were larger and he had tentacles rather than hair. Then one day, the wind blew the smell of salt air and Boris could smell the swamp. He eventually walked all the way back to the swamp and found himself in the water with animals that were a lot like him. It was his real family. But where did Boris truly belong? This picture book explores adoption through a human family adopting a water creature. It also explores what makes a place a home. The tone here is open and curious, exploring both the wonders of the swamp and the longing to return to the human house and his parents. The art is lovely and filled with details. The illustrations are filled with subtle colors that pay homage to the swamp throughout. A lovely book of nature and home. Appropriate for ages 4-6.
February 27, 2022
A surprising story where its protagonist will discover the various possible worlds in which he can be comfortable and welcomed. Interesting background message with an original plot and some very original illustrations.
Istorio harrigarri bat non bere protagonistak eroso eta ongi etorria izan daitekeen mundu posible ezberdinak ezagutuko dituen. Atzeko planoko mezu interesgarria, argumentu original batekin eta oso irudi original batzuekin.
Un sorprendente cuento donde su protagonista descubrirá los diversos mundos posibles en los que puede hallarse cómodo y acogido. Interesante mensaje de fondo con un argumento y unas ilustraciones muy originales.
Istorio harrigarri bat non bere protagonistak eroso eta ongi etorria izan daitekeen mundu posible ezberdinak ezagutuko dituen. Atzeko planoko mezu interesgarria, argumentu original batekin eta oso irudi original batzuekin.
Un sorprendente cuento donde su protagonista descubrirá los diversos mundos posibles en los que puede hallarse cómodo y acogido. Interesante mensaje de fondo con un argumento y unas ilustraciones muy originales.
September 2, 2017
This a sort, unusual adoption story. It explores what makes a family. Does your family have to look the same as you, do the same as you, eat the same, dress the same? Or is your family those who love you and you love back? The little boy in the story is figuring this out for himself and wondering where he fits in.
This is a cute and short picture book. The artwork is really beautiful.
Disclaimer: I received this from Netgally in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the chance to read this!
This is a cute and short picture book. The artwork is really beautiful.
Disclaimer: I received this from Netgally in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the chance to read this!
September 13, 2017
A quirky story about Boris, a foundling from a swamp who grows up in the human world but finds himself drawn back to his swampy origins. After leaving his home to try living in the swamp, Boris eventually discovers that home is where the heart is. A very nice line from the story: "How much like us do those we love have to be?"
March 13, 2018
Great book I can't wait to share with my students--a comment on identity and what family really means.
July 31, 2022
za ilustracie
November 6, 2017
This was such a beautiful, fascinating book. The story was paced differently than I am used to--you can tell it is a European book--but it is a sweet, calm, affirming story of not quite fitting in but realizing that love is love is love, no matter what you look like (or whether or not you have gills!). Really beautiful; I would consider buying this one (we read a library copy).
July 20, 2017
This book speaks gently of adoption and of belonging. It's a quirky, yet heartfelt, tale of figuring out who you are and realizing that it is love that binds people together, that it is love that makes a family. The illustrations are beautiful. I know this story will stay with me. Highly recommended!
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 28, 2017
This is a winner - the tender story of a creature, born in the swamp, who is found and taken to live with a family. He thinks, while living with them, that he doesn't fit in and so he returns to the swamp - where, honestly, he still doesn't fit.
"Maybe our family is imply the ones we love? And the ones who love us back?"
And there it is - family - not how you look but who loves you.
"Maybe our family is imply the ones we love? And the ones who love us back?"
And there it is - family - not how you look but who loves you.
June 8, 2017
I had mixed feelings about The Call of The Swamp; on first impressions the illustrations were beautiful and intricate, dominating the pages, mostly on double-page spreads, although with quite a dark and gloomy colour palette.
As for the storyline, I was a little confused by the message that was being conveyed. Boris is adopted by a family when he is found in his swap. He then decides to leave the family to return to the swamp. The family then did not try and get him back. I found this a strange message to send, that a young child can leave the family and that is okay! In the end Boris did return to the family and it's clear again that the message is supposed to be that your family is the people you love, and who love you back. However, this ended quite abruptly without elaborating too much on this, so I feel it would take some discussion with the adult and child to ensure this message is put across properly.
Additionally, I found the sentence structure and wording to be quite mature and adult - one sentence for example: "How much like us do those we love have to be?" - I wonder if it would be beneficial to simplify some of the text.
As for the storyline, I was a little confused by the message that was being conveyed. Boris is adopted by a family when he is found in his swap. He then decides to leave the family to return to the swamp. The family then did not try and get him back. I found this a strange message to send, that a young child can leave the family and that is okay! In the end Boris did return to the family and it's clear again that the message is supposed to be that your family is the people you love, and who love you back. However, this ended quite abruptly without elaborating too much on this, so I feel it would take some discussion with the adult and child to ensure this message is put across properly.
Additionally, I found the sentence structure and wording to be quite mature and adult - one sentence for example: "How much like us do those we love have to be?" - I wonder if it would be beneficial to simplify some of the text.
June 9, 2017
The illustrations in this book are amazing! The story is about Boris. His parents find him on the edge of a swamp and bring him home to be their child. But years later Boris feels a calling for the swamp. So he leaves home to find himself as he truly is. I can see this as a metaphor for adoption, or even for a trans child, but it’s overt. The only thing that put me off, is that the story seems to end half way though, so the metaphor is not complete. Overall I like the story, I just wish there was more of it.
September 14, 2017
The Call of the Swamp
By: Davide Cali and Marco Soma
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
A powerful book about the definitions of "love" and "family".
Plot:
Do you ever feel that you don't quite fit into the mainstream world or even that you are very different from the rest of your family? Boris was found on the edge of a swamp and his childless parents adopted him. He grows up doing all the regular little boy things and feeling perfectly content. One day, he smells the swamp and feels the "call of the swamp". Boris follows the scent to the swamp and feels like he finally fits. He has found his true family. His adoptive parents send him notes in bottles. They aren't begging him to come home but, with true love, they state that if he is happy then so are they. You can absolutely hear the yearning in every note but they don't ask him to sacrifice his happiness for theirs. Eventually Boris realizes that he doesn't really properly belong in the swamp either. Wow, that's depressing. In fact, it's a super sad realization for Boris. As he sinks to the bottom of the bog, Boris finds all the notes his family mailed to him in the bottles. Could it be that love and family don't necessarily look or feel any specific way?
This book has been touted as a lovely book for adopted kids. I think it is a book for anyone who doesn't quite feel that they fit in or resemble those around them. Yes, the solution in this book is a bit simplistic. Feeling like an outsider involves a whole range of emotions that are not easy to fix. Will Boris find his happily ever after? I doubt it. His life will never be simple. However, what I think makes this book touching is the idea that his family loves him and obviously want to support him in any way that will make him happy. That doesn't mean that things will be perfect for Boris but it does mean he is not alone.
Illustrations:
Divide Cali and Marco Soma worked together on a previous book, "The Queen of the Frogs". I knew that the book plot would engage my brain but that the pictures would steal my heart. And they do. The illustrations in this book are gorgeous. I wish I was better versed in the language of art in order to better explain my feelings because his illustrations evoke atmosphere and feelings with depth and ardor. My favorites? Check out the page where Boris arrives in the swamp and first feels himself belonging. There is a bird who is a tree mixed in with the real birds and trees; not one thing or another, just like Boris. Also, I love the picture near the end of the family home juxtaposed behind a giant bottle. Surely it is the idea of sending home, and all the love it evokes, in their bottles to Boris. The pictures are haunting and sad and beautiful.
Overall:
I highly recommend this book!
By: Davide Cali and Marco Soma
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
A powerful book about the definitions of "love" and "family".
Plot:
Do you ever feel that you don't quite fit into the mainstream world or even that you are very different from the rest of your family? Boris was found on the edge of a swamp and his childless parents adopted him. He grows up doing all the regular little boy things and feeling perfectly content. One day, he smells the swamp and feels the "call of the swamp". Boris follows the scent to the swamp and feels like he finally fits. He has found his true family. His adoptive parents send him notes in bottles. They aren't begging him to come home but, with true love, they state that if he is happy then so are they. You can absolutely hear the yearning in every note but they don't ask him to sacrifice his happiness for theirs. Eventually Boris realizes that he doesn't really properly belong in the swamp either. Wow, that's depressing. In fact, it's a super sad realization for Boris. As he sinks to the bottom of the bog, Boris finds all the notes his family mailed to him in the bottles. Could it be that love and family don't necessarily look or feel any specific way?
This book has been touted as a lovely book for adopted kids. I think it is a book for anyone who doesn't quite feel that they fit in or resemble those around them. Yes, the solution in this book is a bit simplistic. Feeling like an outsider involves a whole range of emotions that are not easy to fix. Will Boris find his happily ever after? I doubt it. His life will never be simple. However, what I think makes this book touching is the idea that his family loves him and obviously want to support him in any way that will make him happy. That doesn't mean that things will be perfect for Boris but it does mean he is not alone.
Illustrations:
Divide Cali and Marco Soma worked together on a previous book, "The Queen of the Frogs". I knew that the book plot would engage my brain but that the pictures would steal my heart. And they do. The illustrations in this book are gorgeous. I wish I was better versed in the language of art in order to better explain my feelings because his illustrations evoke atmosphere and feelings with depth and ardor. My favorites? Check out the page where Boris arrives in the swamp and first feels himself belonging. There is a bird who is a tree mixed in with the real birds and trees; not one thing or another, just like Boris. Also, I love the picture near the end of the family home juxtaposed behind a giant bottle. Surely it is the idea of sending home, and all the love it evokes, in their bottles to Boris. The pictures are haunting and sad and beautiful.
Overall:
I highly recommend this book!
May 18, 2019
The art attracted me immediately; it has a soft quality to it, a little sketchy with the linework, lovely [subdued colors, nothing too bright or flashy, with a touch of surrealism in the backgrounds and composition of the illustrations.
I also really love the message of the book. A husband and wife want to start a family, but their doctor tells them it isn't physically possible for them to have a baby. They find a baby axolotl and decide to adopt it as their son, they name him Boris. It doesn't matter that Boris is different, or that he has gills, they love him and treat him as their son, and they want him to be happy. But Boris feels a little like he doesn't belong, he misses the swamp, so one day he goes back.
The parents never ask him to come home [we're ignoring the fact that Boris is a child], basically they don't want to force him to do something he doesn't want to, all they ever send him in letters is "if you're happy where you are, then we're happy too". They accept their son, and all his differences, and they fully support his life choices whether those choices have him close by or take him far away. That's A+ parenting right there. Love your kids for who they are, as weird and as different as they may be, and support their ambitions and choices.
Boris also learns something important, that I as an immigrant can resonate with; sometimes you can fit in one place, but also in another place, and sometimes you feel like you don't really fit in either place cause while you share similarities with the people there, you also have a lot of differences. Home, and by extension family, isn't who looks the most like you or acts like you, it's the people who love you whole-heartedly and you love them back just as much. And when he makes this realization, he decides that he'll be going back to town, back to his home.
I also really love the message of the book. A husband and wife want to start a family, but their doctor tells them it isn't physically possible for them to have a baby. They find a baby axolotl and decide to adopt it as their son, they name him Boris. It doesn't matter that Boris is different, or that he has gills, they love him and treat him as their son, and they want him to be happy. But Boris feels a little like he doesn't belong, he misses the swamp, so one day he goes back.
The parents never ask him to come home [we're ignoring the fact that Boris is a child], basically they don't want to force him to do something he doesn't want to, all they ever send him in letters is "if you're happy where you are, then we're happy too". They accept their son, and all his differences, and they fully support his life choices whether those choices have him close by or take him far away. That's A+ parenting right there. Love your kids for who they are, as weird and as different as they may be, and support their ambitions and choices.
Boris also learns something important, that I as an immigrant can resonate with; sometimes you can fit in one place, but also in another place, and sometimes you feel like you don't really fit in either place cause while you share similarities with the people there, you also have a lot of differences. Home, and by extension family, isn't who looks the most like you or acts like you, it's the people who love you whole-heartedly and you love them back just as much. And when he makes this realization, he decides that he'll be going back to town, back to his home.
July 25, 2017
I am so glad to have gotten my greedy little hands on this advanced reader copy. I've never been so enamored by a children's book. The drawings, the content, the axolotl??? I'm in love. I'm definitely going to purchase this once it comes out in September.
This book has enraptured me for many reasons, but the main one is certainly because Boris is between two places, two cultures--essentially, he is in la mestiza, a place coined by Gloria Anzaldua. Sorry to get super analytical in this review, but this is one of my favorite theoretical terms! Boris is from the swamp, but he grows up as a regular boy. But when he rediscovers the swamp, though it feels right, it doesn't feel quite right, because he's been socialized as a boy. Because of this, he's placed in la mestiza, a place in between his two homes, having been socialized by both.
Many are forced to think of themselves as one thing or another--as a member of your culture, or as a member of your country. For Gloria Anzaldua, la mestiza was a place between Texas and Mexico, where she was constantly influenced by both cultures, unable to decide exactly where she belonged. For Boris, he's between his house and the swamp.
As his parents send him supportive letters, hoping he's happy, he's out discovering himself. Boris wonders how he can fit into both places at once, or how to even properly and fully fit into one place. But it's his journey of finding an answer that truly makes this story so endearing and enriching. I highly suggest this book for anyone struggling with identity, and for any parent of an adopted child. You will not regret it.
Get the full review here!
This book has enraptured me for many reasons, but the main one is certainly because Boris is between two places, two cultures--essentially, he is in la mestiza, a place coined by Gloria Anzaldua. Sorry to get super analytical in this review, but this is one of my favorite theoretical terms! Boris is from the swamp, but he grows up as a regular boy. But when he rediscovers the swamp, though it feels right, it doesn't feel quite right, because he's been socialized as a boy. Because of this, he's placed in la mestiza, a place in between his two homes, having been socialized by both.
Many are forced to think of themselves as one thing or another--as a member of your culture, or as a member of your country. For Gloria Anzaldua, la mestiza was a place between Texas and Mexico, where she was constantly influenced by both cultures, unable to decide exactly where she belonged. For Boris, he's between his house and the swamp.
As his parents send him supportive letters, hoping he's happy, he's out discovering himself. Boris wonders how he can fit into both places at once, or how to even properly and fully fit into one place. But it's his journey of finding an answer that truly makes this story so endearing and enriching. I highly suggest this book for anyone struggling with identity, and for any parent of an adopted child. You will not regret it.
Get the full review here!
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