What do you think?
Rate this book
Hiznobyuti
From one of France's most celebrated children's writers, the story of an "ugly duckling" who leaves his family to journey through a fantastical world. A tender and playful portrait of what it means to be unique.
When he is born, Hiznobyuti is not exactly handsome. In fact, his parents and siblings say, "He's no beauty!" They say it so often, Hiznobyuti assumes it is his name. Wherever he goes, only embarrassment and shame await him. Hiznobyuti hides himself away, working on his inventions, until one day he receives a message from the stars. After a fight with his family, Hiznobyuti decides to run away. On a beautiful adventure by himself, he learns the secrets of the how to communicate with trees and birds, how to wake up the sun, and how to see himself for who he truly is - a hero! When he returns from his journey, Hiznobyuti family rejoices and apologizes for not understanding how beautiful and important he was to them all along.
When he is born, Hiznobyuti is not exactly handsome. In fact, his parents and siblings say, "He's no beauty!" They say it so often, Hiznobyuti assumes it is his name. Wherever he goes, only embarrassment and shame await him. Hiznobyuti hides himself away, working on his inventions, until one day he receives a message from the stars. After a fight with his family, Hiznobyuti decides to run away. On a beautiful adventure by himself, he learns the secrets of the how to communicate with trees and birds, how to wake up the sun, and how to see himself for who he truly is - a hero! When he returns from his journey, Hiznobyuti family rejoices and apologizes for not understanding how beautiful and important he was to them all along.
38 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1993
110 people want to read
About the author
Claude Ponti
156 books53 followersClaude Ponti is a prolific author, painter, and illustrator, known for his humorous explorations of the nonsense world of dreams. His first picture book, Adele’s Album, was created to amuse his young daughter; he has since authored more than sixty children’s books. On a personal note, Claude says: "I’m left-handed; I prefer cats to dogs (they don’t lick people); and I’m not a vegetarian because I can’t stand the cry of the lettuce or the carrot wrenched from the earth." He also fondly remembers climbing trees as a young boy, looking for the best spot to sit and read a book. Claude Ponti currently divides his time between the French countryside (where there are many birds, such as pheasants) and Paris (where there are pigeons).
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
January 11, 2018
Hiznobyuti is a fun and inspirational story, yet there are poignant parts as well. The book is about the boy called Hiznobyuti who was born differently from his family because of his facial feature.
The first part of the story when Hiznobyuti's family was not treating him was really upsetting. The most heartbreaking part was when his father have decided to put bricks under the sink where Hiznobyuti stays.
The story teaches young kids and reminds adults to be courageous, forbearing, kind, persevering, compassionate and most especially, to be forgiving. Despite what HIsnobyuti's family did to him in the past, he learnt to forgive, and even love and took care of them in the end.
The first part of the story when Hiznobyuti's family was not treating him was really upsetting. The most heartbreaking part was when his father have decided to put bricks under the sink where Hiznobyuti stays.
The story teaches young kids and reminds adults to be courageous, forbearing, kind, persevering, compassionate and most especially, to be forgiving. Despite what HIsnobyuti's family did to him in the past, he learnt to forgive, and even love and took care of them in the end.
December 12, 2017
So, Okilele is finally in English. When I was trying to read through 1001 Children's Books You Should Read Before You Grow Up, I found an online copy of Okilele and tried to translate it myself. Well, needless to say it didn't come out anything like this. The name is pronounced to sound like "he's no beauty" in case you were momentarily confused. I'm thinking the online version I found didn't have all the pages as it feels like there are more illustrations than there were in that version.
This is still a very strange and somewhat sad picture book as Hiznobyuti has a fairly terrible family and spends a lot of time alone.
I recommend this book for anyone who ever wanted to read Okilele. It does read a bit like a translated book, but, it's so wonderfully strange that I still feel that it is worth it. :)
Thanks to Edelweiss for the advance copy, it should be out May 22nd, 2018.
This is still a very strange and somewhat sad picture book as Hiznobyuti has a fairly terrible family and spends a lot of time alone.
I recommend this book for anyone who ever wanted to read Okilele. It does read a bit like a translated book, but, it's so wonderfully strange that I still feel that it is worth it. :)
Thanks to Edelweiss for the advance copy, it should be out May 22nd, 2018.
February 11, 2018
I would like to thank Edelweiss and Archipelago Books for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
When I spotted this unusual children’s book at Edelweiss, I was interested in checking this book out since it was translated from French and I enjoy reading books that are translated from other countries (that is if I can find that many books)! Originally called “Okilele,” “Hiznobyuti” by Claude Ponti and translated by Alyson Waters is a truly unique and delightful treat for children both young and old!
When Hiznobyuti was born, he was not the prettiest child in the world, since he had a long snout that clashes with his family’s short snouts. Because of this, Hiznobyuti was ostracized by his family and he had to live underneath the kitchen sink to stay out of his family’s affairs. One day however, Hiznobyuti ended up getting a message from the stars that he is needed elsewhere and Hiznobyuti decided to run away from home and go on a wild adventure with his companion Martin Clock to find out the mysteries of the world while reaching his true destination.
Wow! I was quite impressed with this bizarre yet creative little children’s book I just discovered! Claude Ponti did a fantastic job at both writing and illustrating this book as the story is highly creative and sad at the same time. I like the way that Claude Ponti managed to balance both whimsical magic and sadness throughout this story as I was captivated by the magical world that the characters inhabited, especially the fact that Hiznobyuti is able to do magical things like talk to the trees and travel to the stars. I was also saddened by the scenes where Hiznobyuti was emotionally abused by his family, especially the scene where Hiznobyuti’s father ends up locking Hiznobyuti underneath the sink by building a brick wall to trap him, which was quite upsetting. I really enjoyed Claude Ponti’s artwork as while it has a somewhat dark and gritty feel to it, it is mostly done in a creative and cute way and I really loved the appearance of Hiznobyuti himself as he has the appearance of a small aardvark and he really stands out in the artwork.
Parents should know that there are some scary and sad moments in this book, which includes Hiznobyuti meeting up with some terrifying monsters on his journey. Also, the scenes where Hiznobyuti is emotionally abused by his family may be too upsetting for both kids and adults, who had experiences of seeing children go through such abuse. Also, the narrative of this book tends to get a bit confusing at times as the story tends to jump all over the place with Hiznobyuti’s adventures.
Overall, “Hiznobyuti” is a truly fantastic children’s book that every child should definitely check out! I would recommend this book to children ages seven and up since the narrative tends to be a bit confusing at times and the scenes of Hiznobyuti’s parents emotionally abusing him can be a bit hard for some children to handle.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
February 2, 2018
Claude Ponti is a legend in the world of French children's literature. He writes and illustrates his books - more than 60 have been published. He wrote the first one (Adele's Album) for his daughter in 1986 and hasn't stopped since. Now, what makes his books special are the nonsense whacky characters and stories. It may look strange to people who aren't used to them, but to me, who has grown up with them, they are amazing and so absolutely creative and unique. Very few have been translated into English, and none of the main ones until now.
Anyway, I was so pleasantly surprised when I saw Hiznobyuti on NetGalley. I wasn't familiar with the English title but straight away I recognised Ponti's drawings. I paused, read the title again and then it clicked: Hiznobyuti was a translation of Okilélé (Oh, qu'il est laid literally means "oh, how ugly he is"). I was so happy! I had to request it to see how it was translated. I think Alyson Waters did an amazing job at keeping the original flavour of the text while making it accessible in English. I am so pleased with it. Translation isn't easy and when you're faced with such a tricky job, it's even harder.
I am rambling on and haven't even said what it was about. Hiznobyuti is a bit of an "ugly duckling". His family are horrible to him - his name comes from the fact they all used to say "He's no beauty!" when they looked at him and it stuck... So, one day he decides to leave them and we are told about his adventures in a strange world where nothing makes sense. It's a beautiful story.
I contacted Hanover Publisher Services, who distribute the book, who confirmed it was a new translation. I was told Alyson Waters had also translated My Valley, which I don't think I've read in French so I'll be looking it up. Apparently Archipelago (the publisher) are planning to get more Ponti books translated in the near future and I couldn't be more excited! I think the world needs to know more about Ponti!
Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to NetGalley and Archipelago.
-----
More reviews on my blog.
Anyway, I was so pleasantly surprised when I saw Hiznobyuti on NetGalley. I wasn't familiar with the English title but straight away I recognised Ponti's drawings. I paused, read the title again and then it clicked: Hiznobyuti was a translation of Okilélé (Oh, qu'il est laid literally means "oh, how ugly he is"). I was so happy! I had to request it to see how it was translated. I think Alyson Waters did an amazing job at keeping the original flavour of the text while making it accessible in English. I am so pleased with it. Translation isn't easy and when you're faced with such a tricky job, it's even harder.
I am rambling on and haven't even said what it was about. Hiznobyuti is a bit of an "ugly duckling". His family are horrible to him - his name comes from the fact they all used to say "He's no beauty!" when they looked at him and it stuck... So, one day he decides to leave them and we are told about his adventures in a strange world where nothing makes sense. It's a beautiful story.
I contacted Hanover Publisher Services, who distribute the book, who confirmed it was a new translation. I was told Alyson Waters had also translated My Valley, which I don't think I've read in French so I'll be looking it up. Apparently Archipelago (the publisher) are planning to get more Ponti books translated in the near future and I couldn't be more excited! I think the world needs to know more about Ponti!
Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to NetGalley and Archipelago.
-----
More reviews on my blog.
February 10, 2020
When the eponymous hero of this rather odd original fairy-tale is born, his parents and siblings all declare that "he's no beauty," repeating the phrase so often that he eventually becomes known as "Hiznobyuti." Retreating from his unsympathetic family, he first builds a hideout under the kitchen sink, befriending the broken-down alarm clock he finds there, and then he runs away altogether. Embarking on a quest to find the planet where he is needed (according to a strange voice he has heard), Hiznobyuti passes through many strange adventures, living life as a tree, defeating monsters on rope bridges, and eventually saving the aforementioned planet, by waking up their slumbering sun. Returning home, he finds his family homeless and destitute, and sets that to rights as well, before setting out to find a princess and marry her. If she'll have him...
If this all sounds a little random... a little strange, that's because it is. Originally published in France as Okilélé, this odd picture-book is the second I have read from celebrated French author/artist Charles Ponti, following upon his marvelous My Valley . After adoring that other title, I had high hopes for Hiznobyuti, but found in the end that my reaction was decidedly mixed. The story itself is inventive, having a sort of 'ugly duckling finds his way in life and eventually triumphs' sensibility to it, but it also sometimes felt a little too bizarre for my suspension of disbelief to hold. It didn't quite hold together as a cohesive whole for me, despite some of the constituent story elements being quite interesting. That said, the artwork did have great appeal for me, with a cute but surreal quality that tickled my funny bone at times. Although not destined to be a particular of mine, I'm glad I read this one, and that Brooklyn-based Elsewhere Editions has translated it into English!
If this all sounds a little random... a little strange, that's because it is. Originally published in France as Okilélé, this odd picture-book is the second I have read from celebrated French author/artist Charles Ponti, following upon his marvelous My Valley . After adoring that other title, I had high hopes for Hiznobyuti, but found in the end that my reaction was decidedly mixed. The story itself is inventive, having a sort of 'ugly duckling finds his way in life and eventually triumphs' sensibility to it, but it also sometimes felt a little too bizarre for my suspension of disbelief to hold. It didn't quite hold together as a cohesive whole for me, despite some of the constituent story elements being quite interesting. That said, the artwork did have great appeal for me, with a cute but surreal quality that tickled my funny bone at times. Although not destined to be a particular of mine, I'm glad I read this one, and that Brooklyn-based Elsewhere Editions has translated it into English!
February 4, 2018
I read this book and felt a horror. The father wanted to lock the child up in a brick wall because he wasn't as good looking as the rest of the family? I read some other reviews by reviewers who grew up with this French author, and they felt that he was quite loving. The only think I can compare this to is perhaps The Ugly Duckling, who was also treated badly by his family, and kicked out, the way that Hiznobyuti is. (His name is how you string together "he's no beauty")
I wouldn't call it whimsical, as some reviewers have. To me it is bizarre. He makes friends with an alarm clock that was also abused, and goes off to find, someone or something, and meets other things and creatures, and when he goes home is family is devastated, and he helps them rebuild their house, then goes on his down from there.
I think I am missing something in the translation. or perhaps I am an old ruddy-daddy. Three stars because he really is a strange, cut creature, even if he is abused.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
I wouldn't call it whimsical, as some reviewers have. To me it is bizarre. He makes friends with an alarm clock that was also abused, and goes off to find, someone or something, and meets other things and creatures, and when he goes home is family is devastated, and he helps them rebuild their house, then goes on his down from there.
I think I am missing something in the translation. or perhaps I am an old ruddy-daddy. Three stars because he really is a strange, cut creature, even if he is abused.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
June 6, 2018
Hiznobyuti is a fun and inspirational story but it is also quite sad at times and may be quite stressing to some. Hiznobyuti was born with a facial feature and treated differently by his family because of this as he didn't look the same as them. The story teaches young kids and adults alike that just because someone looks different doesn't mean they are worth any less. It also reminds of the need to be kind, compassionate and most especially, to be forgiving.
January 4, 2018
What in the world is a communophone? And how do you pronounce the title?
This book was all over the place, a little trippy, and not really my favorite.
This book was all over the place, a little trippy, and not really my favorite.
May 10, 2018
All questions answered by my 4 year old
Do you like this book?
No, because they are just mean to him!
What's your favorite part of the book?
When he goes exploring! And he makes a house under the sink. Can I live under the sink?
What do you think of the cover?
There's an elephant
Do you want me to read it again?
No...
Momma thinks...
We received this book from Netgalley for a review, and it was a little hard to read on the kindle. The words were messed up, and I feel like there were points where they missed words because it just didn't make any sense.
But to the book...
This book was kind of sad. This little creature's entire family calls him ugly basically. They say "He's no beauty" so much he thinks his name is Hiznobyuti. It's so sad. They are all mean and rude to him and he's sad. Honestly, it made me really upset.
The story is good though and the artwork is adorable.
Do you like this book?
No, because they are just mean to him!
What's your favorite part of the book?
When he goes exploring! And he makes a house under the sink. Can I live under the sink?
What do you think of the cover?
There's an elephant
Do you want me to read it again?
No...
Momma thinks...
We received this book from Netgalley for a review, and it was a little hard to read on the kindle. The words were messed up, and I feel like there were points where they missed words because it just didn't make any sense.
But to the book...
This book was kind of sad. This little creature's entire family calls him ugly basically. They say "He's no beauty" so much he thinks his name is Hiznobyuti. It's so sad. They are all mean and rude to him and he's sad. Honestly, it made me really upset.
The story is good though and the artwork is adorable.
July 19, 2017
I "read" this book by watching a video in French. I was able to make a French transcript which I then translated into English in Google Translate.
It's fanciful so I suppose it doesn't really matter if I didn't quite get the arrival of an elephant-looking baby in another-sort-of-animal family. Oki travels into space and returns to his family.
Okay, sometimes you just do what you can.
1001 Children's Books You Must Read
It's fanciful so I suppose it doesn't really matter if I didn't quite get the arrival of an elephant-looking baby in another-sort-of-animal family. Oki travels into space and returns to his family.
Okay, sometimes you just do what you can.
1001 Children's Books You Must Read
July 25, 2021
The plot felt disjointed and actions led to rather unbelievable consequences. With that being said, the illustrations were beautiful and there were brief moments of sadness, humor, and whimsy.
February 7, 2017
I know I have read this book in English before, but, any record of it existing in English seems to have just disappeared. Finally gave up and watched a video of someone reading this in French on the internet.
It is still cute, but not quite as I remembered it. :)
It is still cute, but not quite as I remembered it. :)
Read
June 8, 2018???????
November 24, 2018
I hated everything about this book.
October 16, 2021
I read this with the help of Google translate. The translation program was not perfect, but it helped me to understand the plot and characters of this odd, quirky story about the adventures of ugly (according to his family), unwanted Okilele.
November 24, 2018
This book is gross.
September 13, 2018
Why we chose this book:
I value stories from other cultures. I've always liked fairy tales, and when I had exhausted the Grimms' tales (the authentic, gory versions) as a kid, I moved on to my library's collections from other countries. With that as a foundation, and my travels as an adult, I've found that I really enjoy getting to know life in other countries, which in turn has led to some deep friendships. That is a door I want to open for T and enjoy with him. And if the fun he had with F in Berlin is any indication, he's enjoying stepping outside Worcester, MA, as well! (F speaks no English, and is a German little girl.) Second, I chose this book because we loved Ponti's My Valley, and T is really into monsters right now.
Mom's Review (V)
Both heartbreaking and uplifting, Hiznobyuti teaches the importance of treating oneself and others with love and respect.
Hiznobyuti is an unusual-looking creature who is not accepted by his family. When they forcibly separate him from themselves, he sets off with his only friend, Martin Clock, to learn the answers to all his questions. His adventure has its ups and down. He meets a witch by the name of Sissyfus Forest who sets him impossible tasks; he finds the strength to refuse her. He ventures into a forest of trees, where he learns various languages through patience and attentiveness; this allows him to learn the answers to the questions he has. Hiznobyuti also ventures to a dead planet where he provides help to someone in need; his worth is finally validated by someone outside of himself and his only friend. He eventually returns home to find his house in ruins and his family in turmoil. Ever since he left, everything had gone wrong; his family rejoices at his return and accepts him.
Beautiful artwork and fantastical creatures turn this statement on self-worth into a stunning fairytale. Hiznobyuti begins his life as a happy child, but quickly discovers that his family has little use for him. The negative impact on him is clear, but he rises above it with the support of a friend. He learns to trust and value himself and follow his own moral compass; he pursues his heart's desire, which is learning the answers to all his questions. Although his family accepts him at the end of the story, Hiznobyuti no longer depends on them for self-worth; we're happy to see them reconciled, for sure, but we're happier to see him in charge of his own contentment. Hiznobyuti decides to seek and marry the princess who awoke with the dead planet, but only if she wishes to marry him. The final line of the text sums up the lessons Hiznobyuti learns, namely to trust and value himself while respecting others' choices.
I noticed one peculiarity in this book that seemed distinctively different from the American children's books we read: the creatures are naked, and Hiznobyuti's mother is depicted with breasts. I could be reading into nothing, but I can't think of a single American picture book with naked anthropomorphized characters with noticeable breasts. I appreciated the naturalization, i.e. non-sexualization, of the body.
Son's Review (T)
(Age: 3 and 1/2 years)
T and his dad read this together before I read it. This is what T had to tell me before I read it:
Son: Hiznobyuti makes himself a mask
Mom: What should I pay attention to?
Son: You should pay attention to looking at this little clock guy in each of the pictures. Like now he's walking on the rope.
Mom: Okay. I'll pay attention to the little clock guy. Is there anything else I should know before I read?
Son: No, but just so you know there's this tree monster.
Mom: Thank you.
After reading:
Mom: What is this book about?
Son: It's about a little cute monster named Hiznobyuti.
Mom: And tell me about the book. How did it make you feel?
Son: I really liked it. Happy.
Mom: What parts are happy?
Son: Like...I'll show you. This part is happy [where he frees the elephant].
Mom: Are there any sad parts?
Son: Yes. Where the house falls apart.
Mom: Does he get along with his parents? What happens?
Son: No. His parents aren't loving to him.
Mom: What would you tell his parents if you could meet them?
Son: "Why are you angry with Hiznobyuti?" I have a question. Why are they angry at Hiznobyuti?
Mom: Why do you think they are angry with him?
Son: Because he does not look like them.
Mom: How does that make you feel? What do you think about that?
Son: A lot of feelings...I don't like that they're angry. I think it's bad that they were angry.
Mom: Would you want to meet Hiznobyuti? What would you say to him?
Son: Yes. "Why are your parents angry?"
Mom: Did you have a favorite part of this book?
Son: Yes, where the little monster fought the rope monster.
Mom: Why do you think the author wrote this story? Do you think you that the author might be trying to encourage people to do?
Son: Because we would like it. Treat people nice not mean.
I value stories from other cultures. I've always liked fairy tales, and when I had exhausted the Grimms' tales (the authentic, gory versions) as a kid, I moved on to my library's collections from other countries. With that as a foundation, and my travels as an adult, I've found that I really enjoy getting to know life in other countries, which in turn has led to some deep friendships. That is a door I want to open for T and enjoy with him. And if the fun he had with F in Berlin is any indication, he's enjoying stepping outside Worcester, MA, as well! (F speaks no English, and is a German little girl.) Second, I chose this book because we loved Ponti's My Valley, and T is really into monsters right now.
Mom's Review (V)
Both heartbreaking and uplifting, Hiznobyuti teaches the importance of treating oneself and others with love and respect.
Hiznobyuti is an unusual-looking creature who is not accepted by his family. When they forcibly separate him from themselves, he sets off with his only friend, Martin Clock, to learn the answers to all his questions. His adventure has its ups and down. He meets a witch by the name of Sissyfus Forest who sets him impossible tasks; he finds the strength to refuse her. He ventures into a forest of trees, where he learns various languages through patience and attentiveness; this allows him to learn the answers to the questions he has. Hiznobyuti also ventures to a dead planet where he provides help to someone in need; his worth is finally validated by someone outside of himself and his only friend. He eventually returns home to find his house in ruins and his family in turmoil. Ever since he left, everything had gone wrong; his family rejoices at his return and accepts him.
Beautiful artwork and fantastical creatures turn this statement on self-worth into a stunning fairytale. Hiznobyuti begins his life as a happy child, but quickly discovers that his family has little use for him. The negative impact on him is clear, but he rises above it with the support of a friend. He learns to trust and value himself and follow his own moral compass; he pursues his heart's desire, which is learning the answers to all his questions. Although his family accepts him at the end of the story, Hiznobyuti no longer depends on them for self-worth; we're happy to see them reconciled, for sure, but we're happier to see him in charge of his own contentment. Hiznobyuti decides to seek and marry the princess who awoke with the dead planet, but only if she wishes to marry him. The final line of the text sums up the lessons Hiznobyuti learns, namely to trust and value himself while respecting others' choices.
I noticed one peculiarity in this book that seemed distinctively different from the American children's books we read: the creatures are naked, and Hiznobyuti's mother is depicted with breasts. I could be reading into nothing, but I can't think of a single American picture book with naked anthropomorphized characters with noticeable breasts. I appreciated the naturalization, i.e. non-sexualization, of the body.
Son's Review (T)
(Age: 3 and 1/2 years)
T and his dad read this together before I read it. This is what T had to tell me before I read it:
Son: Hiznobyuti makes himself a mask
Mom: What should I pay attention to?
Son: You should pay attention to looking at this little clock guy in each of the pictures. Like now he's walking on the rope.
Mom: Okay. I'll pay attention to the little clock guy. Is there anything else I should know before I read?
Son: No, but just so you know there's this tree monster.
Mom: Thank you.
After reading:
Mom: What is this book about?
Son: It's about a little cute monster named Hiznobyuti.
Mom: And tell me about the book. How did it make you feel?
Son: I really liked it. Happy.
Mom: What parts are happy?
Son: Like...I'll show you. This part is happy [where he frees the elephant].
Mom: Are there any sad parts?
Son: Yes. Where the house falls apart.
Mom: Does he get along with his parents? What happens?
Son: No. His parents aren't loving to him.
Mom: What would you tell his parents if you could meet them?
Son: "Why are you angry with Hiznobyuti?" I have a question. Why are they angry at Hiznobyuti?
Mom: Why do you think they are angry with him?
Son: Because he does not look like them.
Mom: How does that make you feel? What do you think about that?
Son: A lot of feelings...I don't like that they're angry. I think it's bad that they were angry.
Mom: Would you want to meet Hiznobyuti? What would you say to him?
Son: Yes. "Why are your parents angry?"
Mom: Did you have a favorite part of this book?
Son: Yes, where the little monster fought the rope monster.
Mom: Why do you think the author wrote this story? Do you think you that the author might be trying to encourage people to do?
Son: Because we would like it. Treat people nice not mean.
November 7, 2019
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmkxL...
Also known in English as Hiznobyuti - ie. 'He's no beauty'
The story has a number of word play/word puns that will be lost without a proper translation from the French. So this is a VERY rough translation - the English book will be far better translated!
But I can't find a copy ... & so I've just done what I can for now.
Okilele was not beautiful.
His parents, his brothers, his sister said. How ugly it is!
Okilele thought it was his first name.
And every time he heard it, he rushed to his family.
Then his father, his mother, his brothers and his sister eventually called him Okilele.
Especially his brothers and sister who loved to call him.
One day he saw that he did not have the same head as the others.
he decided to make a mask.
... to be like everyone else.
Sometimes Okilele tied the people of his family with ropes to talk together.
He was able to tie them up well, he didn't forget any of them.
But each time, his parlour phone was too tight, and things didn't work out at all as he wanted.
Often, in the morning, he took a bath in coffee, and made himself some chocolate gruyere cream jam.
Some days he was never well. In the corners where he settled, he was bothering someone...
.. or someone was bothering him.
Even if he didn't make any noise, in the cabin he had built to be quiet.
And when he was able to be at the table at the same time as everyone else, everyone was sad/disappointed.
So he hid under the sink to cry.
He stayed there for hours, and there, he was left alone and even forgotten.
Okilele decided to settle under the sink. He built a bunk/suspended bed and some furniture with everything he found in the trash can that could still be used.
He also began to sew a cape to protect himself from the cold and rain.
That's when he'll be reunited with Martin Clock.
Okilele repaired Martin Clock who was broken and thrown in the garbage.
Then Okilele switched on the electricity.
That night, Martin Clock told the story of his life to Okilele, it was a gay story in the evening and sad in the morning.
Okilele learned to read and write while eating letter soup with his new friend.
They enlarged his House-Underground. They dug many tunnels.
Every morning, they invented a piece that was added to the other.
In the evening, they built the giant parloour phone. With an old radio ...
...a lot of electrical wire and lots of broken things they found in the trash.
Okilele wanted to talk with the stars, to know why things were like that and not otherwise.
One night, the stars answered.
They said that somewhere on the planet, Okilele was needed.
Okilele did not come out much under the sink.
Yet, on a Monday, he disturbed the others a little more than usual.
His parents went into a great rage.
He is so scared that he can not say anything other than:
"Pitrouille!" But his parents did not come out of ....
... their anger. They did not want to see him anymore.
Let him go back to his hole. And that he stays there!
Until the End of Ends! His father took bricks and cement and locked him under the sink.
Okilele decided to leave with Martin Clock to look for the voices that had spoken to him.
And find the someone who needed him.
Okilele and his friend walked in the night.
They walked a long time, in several nights.
Until the day of Gradasse, the silent elephant.
A Caftcuse (radio with wings) fell from the sky to explain what had happened at Gradasse, who had not always been silent.
Okilele reflected and said to Gradasse: "If you had the last word, you always have it, and one word is enough ... So pronounce your last word! "
That's what Gradasse did. And he was delivered.
He decided to accompany Okilele because he was in a hurry to serve him to thank him.
The Cafteuse, who followed them closely, knew how to deal with the Boit-Tareponz (TV).
Okilele was going to hear the answers to all the questions he asked himself, and to those he did not ask himself. but here it is, Gradasse arrived before him.
The word was not good. The Boit Tareponz flew away.
Because of Grasse, Okilele could not ask his questions, nor know where the person was waiting for him. He says goodbye to Gradasse ...
... and went away, alone, with Martin Clock, without knowing what day it was.
"Now it is today" a very old and very wise old man who slept there told him.
"You must follow the thread, find the Old Forest and make the tree," said the wise old man to Okilele.
Okilele thanked him and went to get the thread.
It was a very small thread, as thin as a hair, difficult ....
... to see, until it turns into a rope. Okielel managed to follow the cord wherever he went ....
... without ever losing sight of it. He arrived at the edge of a precipice where the rope made a bridge.
On this bridge lived a monster who would never let anyone pass.
Especially not a little nothing at all, with a single trunk, like Okilele.
Okilele was very scared. He sneezed all his black cold all at once.
He had always had a small black cold. He did not even pay attention to it anymore.
And here it came out of him completely. And that he was killing the monster.
Okilele crosses the bridge very quickly before another monster grows on the rope, or something else, more horrible.
He entered a wood of silence where no wind blew.
The rope led to a house from which it came out of.
It was the home of Pofise Foret, an old sorcerer disguised as a tired old woman.
Pofise Foret asked Okilele to fill his bottomless well with a pierced pan.
She asked him to push fifty thousand and three nails into iron wood.
She asked him to saw and store his wood for all winters.
She asked him for nine breakfasts a day. Even at night.
She asked him to arrest his friend, Martin Clock. Okilele refused ....
... and he went back on his way. Martin Clock was happy, he didn't like Pofise Foret at all. She used people so much that there was only us left. And then she planted the bones around her house.
Okilele walked without knowing where to go. He looked at the trees: they held the sky in their branches and the earth....
.. roots. They certainly had to know everything and understand everything. Okilele spoke to them, but he did not hear their answers. He couldn't speak trees.
Okilele sat on the words of the very old old man: he had to make the tree. He made a hole and hovered in the ground.
Okilele made the tree. He didn't move. He thought very strongly that he was a tree. And he felt his buds grow. He felt his young branches grow, he heard the little wrinkle of his leaves bending.
As it became a very beautiful tree, two birds chose it to draw their nest.
Okilele's roots were pouring all over the earth, its branches were scattered all over the sky.
He learned the secrets of stones that are as old as the earth. And those in heaven that are huge.
He also learned the language of birds by hearing the lessons that the chicks received.
And the day the birds flew away, Okilele stopped making the tree. He threw his branches and left his roots.
He knew how to talk tree, he knew how to speak bird. He was talking to the whole world.
He asked anyone a thousand questions, on anything, for three days and three nights.
The third night, a tree says to Okilele, "Now you can talk to whomever you want. Why not go to this planet or why not this one waiting for you?'
The tree is right. Okilele jumped to the ground. So did Martin Clock.
Okilele planted a mountain.
The mountain came out of the ground...
... and began to push.
He crossed the sky.
He crossed space.
And he reached the stars.
Okilele climbed the mountain to a dead planet that revolved around a sleepy sun. It was that sun who was the someone who needed Okilele.
He was talking in his sleep. In his dream, he told her that only he, Okilele, could wake him up.
Okilele spoke with the stars. He spoke with the smallest pebble in the entire universe.
And he found the answer. The sun is invading.
And his warmth was again expressed all around him.
He gave Okilele a small piece of himself and told him that he would never forget it.
Okilele came down from the mountain, Martin Clock on his lap because it was too dangerous for him.
He found his parents' house in ruins. It had been soaked by the rains, battered by the winds, the sod by the storms. A stream ran through it.
In the house, Okilele looks at the water of the stream. It was dirty water; water of tears.
Okilele went up the stream of tears. He climbed the rocks, climbed the cliffs and arrived...
... in a fir forest. Between the trunks, in front of a hut of branches, he recognized his parents.
His parents were crying all the time. Everything's been bad since he left. Words said otherwise, hands did something else, and meals had no taste.
Okilele prepared a good meal in the large party pot. For taste, he put on his cape and the last drops of the stream of tears.
After the meal, which lasted seven hours and had fourteen ordinary desserts and twenty-eight extraordinary desserts, everyone danced the Great Dance of Joy Joufflue.
The next day, in the early morning, the whole family went to work, to re-create the house exactly as before, without changing anything.
A few days later, Okilele looked at his little sun that was rising in the sky.
He thought of the dead planet and remembered that he had seen a princess wake up at the same time as the sun.
So there was one thing left for him to do: go and get the princess and marry her, if she wants it.
Also known in English as Hiznobyuti - ie. 'He's no beauty'
The story has a number of word play/word puns that will be lost without a proper translation from the French. So this is a VERY rough translation - the English book will be far better translated!
But I can't find a copy ... & so I've just done what I can for now.
Okilele was not beautiful.
His parents, his brothers, his sister said. How ugly it is!
Okilele thought it was his first name.
And every time he heard it, he rushed to his family.
Then his father, his mother, his brothers and his sister eventually called him Okilele.
Especially his brothers and sister who loved to call him.
One day he saw that he did not have the same head as the others.
he decided to make a mask.
... to be like everyone else.
Sometimes Okilele tied the people of his family with ropes to talk together.
He was able to tie them up well, he didn't forget any of them.
But each time, his parlour phone was too tight, and things didn't work out at all as he wanted.
Often, in the morning, he took a bath in coffee, and made himself some chocolate gruyere cream jam.
Some days he was never well. In the corners where he settled, he was bothering someone...
.. or someone was bothering him.
Even if he didn't make any noise, in the cabin he had built to be quiet.
And when he was able to be at the table at the same time as everyone else, everyone was sad/disappointed.
So he hid under the sink to cry.
He stayed there for hours, and there, he was left alone and even forgotten.
Okilele decided to settle under the sink. He built a bunk/suspended bed and some furniture with everything he found in the trash can that could still be used.
He also began to sew a cape to protect himself from the cold and rain.
That's when he'll be reunited with Martin Clock.
Okilele repaired Martin Clock who was broken and thrown in the garbage.
Then Okilele switched on the electricity.
That night, Martin Clock told the story of his life to Okilele, it was a gay story in the evening and sad in the morning.
Okilele learned to read and write while eating letter soup with his new friend.
They enlarged his House-Underground. They dug many tunnels.
Every morning, they invented a piece that was added to the other.
In the evening, they built the giant parloour phone. With an old radio ...
...a lot of electrical wire and lots of broken things they found in the trash.
Okilele wanted to talk with the stars, to know why things were like that and not otherwise.
One night, the stars answered.
They said that somewhere on the planet, Okilele was needed.
Okilele did not come out much under the sink.
Yet, on a Monday, he disturbed the others a little more than usual.
His parents went into a great rage.
He is so scared that he can not say anything other than:
"Pitrouille!" But his parents did not come out of ....
... their anger. They did not want to see him anymore.
Let him go back to his hole. And that he stays there!
Until the End of Ends! His father took bricks and cement and locked him under the sink.
Okilele decided to leave with Martin Clock to look for the voices that had spoken to him.
And find the someone who needed him.
Okilele and his friend walked in the night.
They walked a long time, in several nights.
Until the day of Gradasse, the silent elephant.
A Caftcuse (radio with wings) fell from the sky to explain what had happened at Gradasse, who had not always been silent.
Okilele reflected and said to Gradasse: "If you had the last word, you always have it, and one word is enough ... So pronounce your last word! "
That's what Gradasse did. And he was delivered.
He decided to accompany Okilele because he was in a hurry to serve him to thank him.
The Cafteuse, who followed them closely, knew how to deal with the Boit-Tareponz (TV).
Okilele was going to hear the answers to all the questions he asked himself, and to those he did not ask himself. but here it is, Gradasse arrived before him.
The word was not good. The Boit Tareponz flew away.
Because of Grasse, Okilele could not ask his questions, nor know where the person was waiting for him. He says goodbye to Gradasse ...
... and went away, alone, with Martin Clock, without knowing what day it was.
"Now it is today" a very old and very wise old man who slept there told him.
"You must follow the thread, find the Old Forest and make the tree," said the wise old man to Okilele.
Okilele thanked him and went to get the thread.
It was a very small thread, as thin as a hair, difficult ....
... to see, until it turns into a rope. Okielel managed to follow the cord wherever he went ....
... without ever losing sight of it. He arrived at the edge of a precipice where the rope made a bridge.
On this bridge lived a monster who would never let anyone pass.
Especially not a little nothing at all, with a single trunk, like Okilele.
Okilele was very scared. He sneezed all his black cold all at once.
He had always had a small black cold. He did not even pay attention to it anymore.
And here it came out of him completely. And that he was killing the monster.
Okilele crosses the bridge very quickly before another monster grows on the rope, or something else, more horrible.
He entered a wood of silence where no wind blew.
The rope led to a house from which it came out of.
It was the home of Pofise Foret, an old sorcerer disguised as a tired old woman.
Pofise Foret asked Okilele to fill his bottomless well with a pierced pan.
She asked him to push fifty thousand and three nails into iron wood.
She asked him to saw and store his wood for all winters.
She asked him for nine breakfasts a day. Even at night.
She asked him to arrest his friend, Martin Clock. Okilele refused ....
... and he went back on his way. Martin Clock was happy, he didn't like Pofise Foret at all. She used people so much that there was only us left. And then she planted the bones around her house.
Okilele walked without knowing where to go. He looked at the trees: they held the sky in their branches and the earth....
.. roots. They certainly had to know everything and understand everything. Okilele spoke to them, but he did not hear their answers. He couldn't speak trees.
Okilele sat on the words of the very old old man: he had to make the tree. He made a hole and hovered in the ground.
Okilele made the tree. He didn't move. He thought very strongly that he was a tree. And he felt his buds grow. He felt his young branches grow, he heard the little wrinkle of his leaves bending.
As it became a very beautiful tree, two birds chose it to draw their nest.
Okilele's roots were pouring all over the earth, its branches were scattered all over the sky.
He learned the secrets of stones that are as old as the earth. And those in heaven that are huge.
He also learned the language of birds by hearing the lessons that the chicks received.
And the day the birds flew away, Okilele stopped making the tree. He threw his branches and left his roots.
He knew how to talk tree, he knew how to speak bird. He was talking to the whole world.
He asked anyone a thousand questions, on anything, for three days and three nights.
The third night, a tree says to Okilele, "Now you can talk to whomever you want. Why not go to this planet or why not this one waiting for you?'
The tree is right. Okilele jumped to the ground. So did Martin Clock.
Okilele planted a mountain.
The mountain came out of the ground...
... and began to push.
He crossed the sky.
He crossed space.
And he reached the stars.
Okilele climbed the mountain to a dead planet that revolved around a sleepy sun. It was that sun who was the someone who needed Okilele.
He was talking in his sleep. In his dream, he told her that only he, Okilele, could wake him up.
Okilele spoke with the stars. He spoke with the smallest pebble in the entire universe.
And he found the answer. The sun is invading.
And his warmth was again expressed all around him.
He gave Okilele a small piece of himself and told him that he would never forget it.
Okilele came down from the mountain, Martin Clock on his lap because it was too dangerous for him.
He found his parents' house in ruins. It had been soaked by the rains, battered by the winds, the sod by the storms. A stream ran through it.
In the house, Okilele looks at the water of the stream. It was dirty water; water of tears.
Okilele went up the stream of tears. He climbed the rocks, climbed the cliffs and arrived...
... in a fir forest. Between the trunks, in front of a hut of branches, he recognized his parents.
His parents were crying all the time. Everything's been bad since he left. Words said otherwise, hands did something else, and meals had no taste.
Okilele prepared a good meal in the large party pot. For taste, he put on his cape and the last drops of the stream of tears.
After the meal, which lasted seven hours and had fourteen ordinary desserts and twenty-eight extraordinary desserts, everyone danced the Great Dance of Joy Joufflue.
The next day, in the early morning, the whole family went to work, to re-create the house exactly as before, without changing anything.
A few days later, Okilele looked at his little sun that was rising in the sky.
He thought of the dead planet and remembered that he had seen a princess wake up at the same time as the sun.
So there was one thing left for him to do: go and get the princess and marry her, if she wants it.
February 25, 2018
This interesting book tells the story of Hiznobyuti (he's no beauty). When Hiznobyuti is born, he gets his moniker from the first thing that was said. He appears different from his family because of his trunk-like nose. His family treats him poorly and he withdraws more. My heart broke when his father bricked him inside his under the sink hiding hole. Feeling totally ostracized, he sets out on a journey to learn to communicate with every other thing in the universe. Through his journey he finds himself and ultimately his way back home to his family. They have fallen on hard times since he left. He is able to forgive and offer them compassion, which seems to benefit everyone in the end.
The illustrations are interesting and will appeal to elementary children. They have a comic book feel to them even as the book has more of a philosophical fairy tale feel.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The illustrations are interesting and will appeal to elementary children. They have a comic book feel to them even as the book has more of a philosophical fairy tale feel.
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2018
After "My Valley", from the same creator, which was just beautiful nonsense, we have this, which is even more nonsensical, but does actually manage to hold on to its imagination enough to provide a narrative. A weird alien thing who is much unloved by his family befriends an alarm clock and goes exploring when he gets the message he is wanted by a a mysterious someone or something elsewhere. The art is great - witness that bridge monster on anything other than a kindle and you're well away. It's just you can't help feeling the story is too 60s and druggy to really go down well these days. Yes, the moral is there, and the word play and wackiness, but it could well be too much. Still, of the two I'd go for this volume any day. Three and a half stars by goodread's rating.
August 1, 2018
This was such a bizarre little picture book by famous French author and illustrator Claude Ponti. Hiznobyuti (named such because his family constantly told him that "he's no beauty") runs away from home after being abused by his family and runs into several fantastical creatures. The story was fast paced, made little sense, yet still had me mesmerized.
I received a copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a copy of this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 1, 2018
Very imaginative and fairly nonsensical. I liked it (except where his parents were so mean to him), especially Hiznobyuti's fanciful wanderings and his friendship with Martin Clock, but I imagine it'll have a limited audience. For older picture book readers.
March 31, 2016
Un très très bon Claude Ponti.
July 30, 2018
I don't know what to make of it, but I sort of like it.
December 30, 2019
Wayyyyy too weird for me.
May 21, 2024
Hiznobyuti (pronounced he’s no beauty) is an outcast in his family. He isn’t like them at all and they treat him dreadfully. One day Hiznobyuti decides to make his own little home with Martin Clock, a friend he makes after he repairs him. The two eventually set off on an adventure together to find who is communiphoning with them.
I was so looking forward to reading Hiznobyuti. I haven’t read the original in French but I’m going to say straight-off-the-bat that something of the story got lost in translation. Translation, especially from French to English, seems to always come out soundly a little clunky or child-like from my experience with books I have read that have gone through the process.
My main issue with the story is that it goes on…and on…and on…similar to reading one of your student’s story writing attempts where each sentence begins with “And then…”. This is compounded by the high page count (in my opinion) of the book for the target audience. To start with the story does have a beginning – we meet Hiznobyuti and his family and they treat him horribly just because of how he looks but this isn’t something actually dealt with in the story. After Hiznobyuti is forced out of home (has his adventure) and then returns, suddenly he is treated as if he is the favourite child. There is no consequence for their treatment of Hiznobyuti.
There were many moments in the story where I was just lost – such as the ‘black cold’ – which Hiznobyuti has apparently always had but not mentioned – that suddenly appeared to save the day. And then at the end with going to find a princess…there is just too much going on in the storyline to make it make sense…and no real ending.
Thanks to NetGalley and Archipelago Books for providing me with a free copy to review.
I was so looking forward to reading Hiznobyuti. I haven’t read the original in French but I’m going to say straight-off-the-bat that something of the story got lost in translation. Translation, especially from French to English, seems to always come out soundly a little clunky or child-like from my experience with books I have read that have gone through the process.
My main issue with the story is that it goes on…and on…and on…similar to reading one of your student’s story writing attempts where each sentence begins with “And then…”. This is compounded by the high page count (in my opinion) of the book for the target audience. To start with the story does have a beginning – we meet Hiznobyuti and his family and they treat him horribly just because of how he looks but this isn’t something actually dealt with in the story. After Hiznobyuti is forced out of home (has his adventure) and then returns, suddenly he is treated as if he is the favourite child. There is no consequence for their treatment of Hiznobyuti.
There were many moments in the story where I was just lost – such as the ‘black cold’ – which Hiznobyuti has apparently always had but not mentioned – that suddenly appeared to save the day. And then at the end with going to find a princess…there is just too much going on in the storyline to make it make sense…and no real ending.
Thanks to NetGalley and Archipelago Books for providing me with a free copy to review.
January 9, 2025
From its very title, Hiznobyuti (pronounced "He's no beauty") sets the stage for a narrative about an unconventional hero. Born into a family of golden meerkat-like creatures, Hiznobyuti is immediately deemed unattractive, so much so that his family uses it as his name. Feeling shunned, he hides beneath the kitchen sink, crafting inventions until a celestial message prompts him to embark on an adventure.
Ponti's illustrations give this tale wings, blending warm emotion with surreal, precisely drawn figures and details. Hiznobyuti's journey is one of transformation and discovery, involving heroic feats like slaying a monster with a sneeze, communicating with stars, and even temporarily becoming a tree. His adventures lead him to wake the sun and save a dead planet, culminating in a reunion with his family, now appreciative of his unique beauty and heroism.
The narrative is a rich tapestry of imaginative escapades, where each turn of the page introduces new, fantastical elements. The translation by Alyson Waters retains the playful essence of the original French, ensuring that the wordplay and whimsical nature of Ponti's storytelling shine through in English.
This book is for those who cherish the journey as much as the destination, offering a message of self-acceptance and the beauty of individuality. It's an "ugly duckling" story for the modern age, with layers of humor, heart, and philosophical musing wrapped in an artful, visually compelling package.
Hiznobyuti is a celebration of the odd, the inventive, and the magical within us all. It is a story that might start with shame but ends in celebration, proving that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder, or in this case, the hero.
Ponti's illustrations give this tale wings, blending warm emotion with surreal, precisely drawn figures and details. Hiznobyuti's journey is one of transformation and discovery, involving heroic feats like slaying a monster with a sneeze, communicating with stars, and even temporarily becoming a tree. His adventures lead him to wake the sun and save a dead planet, culminating in a reunion with his family, now appreciative of his unique beauty and heroism.
The narrative is a rich tapestry of imaginative escapades, where each turn of the page introduces new, fantastical elements. The translation by Alyson Waters retains the playful essence of the original French, ensuring that the wordplay and whimsical nature of Ponti's storytelling shine through in English.
This book is for those who cherish the journey as much as the destination, offering a message of self-acceptance and the beauty of individuality. It's an "ugly duckling" story for the modern age, with layers of humor, heart, and philosophical musing wrapped in an artful, visually compelling package.
Hiznobyuti is a celebration of the odd, the inventive, and the magical within us all. It is a story that might start with shame but ends in celebration, proving that beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder, or in this case, the hero.
April 26, 2019
When finished my son’s first response, “that is a weird story.” To which his sister responds, “I liked it!” She now wants to try tree pose and become a tree.
We found this from the Book, “1001 Books to Read Before You Grow Up” and borrowed it from the inter-Library loan program. As an adult, I enjoyed the detail of the pictures and found the story quite creative. A few empathetic discussion points throughout... and a potential princess at the end. Very interesting pieces, from this translated title.
We found this from the Book, “1001 Books to Read Before You Grow Up” and borrowed it from the inter-Library loan program. As an adult, I enjoyed the detail of the pictures and found the story quite creative. A few empathetic discussion points throughout... and a potential princess at the end. Very interesting pieces, from this translated title.
September 21, 2021
Read this book by translating it into English. I know some things are lost in translation, but this was weird- Okilele is mistreated by many people around him so he goes to space because he’s needed? What’s what’s with the elephant and the serious abuse by his family just for him to go back home and boil his cape into soup?
December 30, 2018
Somehow, I love this unusual, quirky tale that feels wise and ancient on one hand and hilarious on the other with"fourteen ordinary desserts and twenty-eight extraordinary ones" and a "Great-Chubby-Cheeked-Dance-of-Joy."
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews