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Unknown Binding
First published January 7, 2015
About the author
Maja Kastelic
23 books24 followersMaja Kastelic is a freelance author and illustrator. She studied Painting and Theory of Visual Culture, while working many years as a fresco retouche painter. Her silent book A Boy and a House and her other work has been awarded, exhibited and published all over the world, among others at the Bologna Illustrators and Le Immagini della Fantasia Sarmede exhibitions, White Ravens selection, Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava and Slovenian Biennale of Illustration.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
August 30, 2018
This wordless picture book is a delight to behold at any age. The illustrations are stunning and whimsical. The muted hues with bursts of color here and there are gorgeous. With every turn of the page the eye is drawn to all the details presented. Absolutely wonderful.
This book isn’t very long. In the beginning you see a young boy walking down a semi dark street lined with houses. As he comes upon an open door with a kitten looking out, the boy gets curious and follows the cat inside and up the stairs. Up, up, up they go. Round this staircase, through that door, around another staircase and into another room. It keeps going and going. Every room he enters has a unique décor and the attention to detail is amazing. The little kitten is leading the way as if it wants to show the boy something special. So where will this boy end up? Whom is he going to meet?
***
Gorgeously illustrated, it is such a treat. While in the midst of my day, it drew me in completely for just a little while….Definitely feeling jolly now. This would make a great gift for someone :) Enjoy!
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange of a review. All opinions are my own. Thank you kindly.
You can find pics of the some of the illustrations here:
https://scarlettreadzandrunz.com/midd...
This book isn’t very long. In the beginning you see a young boy walking down a semi dark street lined with houses. As he comes upon an open door with a kitten looking out, the boy gets curious and follows the cat inside and up the stairs. Up, up, up they go. Round this staircase, through that door, around another staircase and into another room. It keeps going and going. Every room he enters has a unique décor and the attention to detail is amazing. The little kitten is leading the way as if it wants to show the boy something special. So where will this boy end up? Whom is he going to meet?
***
Gorgeously illustrated, it is such a treat. While in the midst of my day, it drew me in completely for just a little while….Definitely feeling jolly now. This would make a great gift for someone :) Enjoy!
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange of a review. All opinions are my own. Thank you kindly.
You can find pics of the some of the illustrations here:
https://scarlettreadzandrunz.com/midd...
September 11, 2018
I'm just loving the wordless picture books I've been reading lately, and A Boy and a House is a wonderful example. We follow a small boy through gorgeously illustrated pages as he follows a cat and a trail of drawings.
There is not a whole lot of story here, but these images are so detailed that this could be a different book every time you read it. This could easily be an "eye-spy" story one night and a "tell a story about the background details" story the next.
I would have preferred there to be a little more story here, but any stars I might have deducted for that are more than made up for with extra stars for being so darn gorgeous!
Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press for providing me with a DRC of this book.
There is not a whole lot of story here, but these images are so detailed that this could be a different book every time you read it. This could easily be an "eye-spy" story one night and a "tell a story about the background details" story the next.
I would have preferred there to be a little more story here, but any stars I might have deducted for that are more than made up for with extra stars for being so darn gorgeous!
Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press for providing me with a DRC of this book.
September 19, 2018
Rating: 2.5
Though I recognize their developmental and artistic value, I don’t “read” many wordless picture books. As a result, I’m not sure how equipped I am to judge their merit. As an adult, I find that I need words in order to find the story in picture books and graphic novels. Maja Kastelic does provide some words (as well as letters and symbols) in her book, A Boy and a House, but these are part of her illustrations—messages written on walls mostly, but also titles and names on the spines of books—G.G. Marquez, The Summer Book—and the covers of record albums—“Cash” (as in Johnny?) rather than actual text. The overall import of the messages is not entirely clear.
As alluring and mysterious as I found Kastelic’s art, in the end I can’t say I could figure out the point of her book—what she was actually trying to achieve with it. I haven’t had the opportunity to “test-drive” the book with kids, which can be a really enlightening experience. (Kids often notice things that I don’t.) I also wonder if reading a print copy would have made a difference. The e-book version I had was certainly frustrating because the images (even when expanded) were small on my i-pad, the artist’s palette is dark, and her work intricately detailed. I had the sense that there was some code I needed to break in order to understand what I was seeing and that I lacked the smarts to unlock the secrets of the book.
The “narrative” (if it can be called that when a conventional text is lacking) begins with a small boy exiting his house on Grim Street, apparently at nightfall. The house is located right beside the one where, according to a wall plaque, the poet “Francois Sad” once lived. The lights are on at the boy’s and others’ houses along this very European-looking street, and the reader can look through windows to see people getting on with their evening—talking, eating, gazing at themselves in mirrors, or looking down on the street from upper-floor windows. The boy is on his way, apparently with a specific destination in mind. A woman in a red dress is ahead of him, but looks back, perhaps hearing his excited footsteps. A man walking a small dog passes him, but some graffiti instructs the boy to look forward.
In the end, the boy ends up at a house on Andersen street (Hans Christian?). There, a black cat appears to have been waiting for him at a door that is slightly ajar. Inside, the untidy front hall has mailboxes on one wall, as though the place has been divided into apartments. There are messages on the wall, one seemingly from the author (the name “Maja” is visible) who directs people to take care of the house; another, scrawled on the wall, reminds those who’ve entered to close the doors. On the floor, there is a child’s drawing of a girl in the sun.
After picking up this drawing, the boy is led by the cat up a series of staircases. Higher and higher in the house he goes, past book cases, bird cages, comfy arm chairs, an old record player, chandeliers and lanterns, walls of framed art work. At one point, the reader sees what appears to be part of an alligator’s tail behind a partially closed door. And there are more wall messages: about not planning so much, about letting life surprise you, and about looking at the stars.
At the top of the house, the boy finds the artist: a little girl. Together they do look out at the stars, as well as fold the little girl’s scattered drawings into paper airplanes, which they send sailing out into the night.
On the Picturebook Makers website, the artist Maja Kastelic writes that her book is a “silent” one, “about a little boy’s morning wandering [I saw it as evening], and also, or even more, a story about going up and following the light, about curiosity and daring, getting lost and finding friendship, secrets, and also about hoping for and believing in happy endings. I also wished to make it as a homage to literature, illustration, and to the nostalgic beauty of old times and timeless things.”
I suppose Kastelic has achieved the things she wanted to, and she has produced some lovely art in the process. Having said that, I find the book just too nebulous, vague, and dreamlike to fully satisfy—which doesn’t mean there aren’t some children who will enjoy puzzling over the pictures. In the future, I’d prefer to see Kastelic work with an established children’s author who has a stronger sense of story. I think she could do a lot to enrich another’s written text, but for me, at least, her illustrations on their own just aren’t enough..
Thank you to Net Galley and Annick Press for providing me with a digital copy of this book for review purposes.
Though I recognize their developmental and artistic value, I don’t “read” many wordless picture books. As a result, I’m not sure how equipped I am to judge their merit. As an adult, I find that I need words in order to find the story in picture books and graphic novels. Maja Kastelic does provide some words (as well as letters and symbols) in her book, A Boy and a House, but these are part of her illustrations—messages written on walls mostly, but also titles and names on the spines of books—G.G. Marquez, The Summer Book—and the covers of record albums—“Cash” (as in Johnny?) rather than actual text. The overall import of the messages is not entirely clear.
As alluring and mysterious as I found Kastelic’s art, in the end I can’t say I could figure out the point of her book—what she was actually trying to achieve with it. I haven’t had the opportunity to “test-drive” the book with kids, which can be a really enlightening experience. (Kids often notice things that I don’t.) I also wonder if reading a print copy would have made a difference. The e-book version I had was certainly frustrating because the images (even when expanded) were small on my i-pad, the artist’s palette is dark, and her work intricately detailed. I had the sense that there was some code I needed to break in order to understand what I was seeing and that I lacked the smarts to unlock the secrets of the book.
The “narrative” (if it can be called that when a conventional text is lacking) begins with a small boy exiting his house on Grim Street, apparently at nightfall. The house is located right beside the one where, according to a wall plaque, the poet “Francois Sad” once lived. The lights are on at the boy’s and others’ houses along this very European-looking street, and the reader can look through windows to see people getting on with their evening—talking, eating, gazing at themselves in mirrors, or looking down on the street from upper-floor windows. The boy is on his way, apparently with a specific destination in mind. A woman in a red dress is ahead of him, but looks back, perhaps hearing his excited footsteps. A man walking a small dog passes him, but some graffiti instructs the boy to look forward.
In the end, the boy ends up at a house on Andersen street (Hans Christian?). There, a black cat appears to have been waiting for him at a door that is slightly ajar. Inside, the untidy front hall has mailboxes on one wall, as though the place has been divided into apartments. There are messages on the wall, one seemingly from the author (the name “Maja” is visible) who directs people to take care of the house; another, scrawled on the wall, reminds those who’ve entered to close the doors. On the floor, there is a child’s drawing of a girl in the sun.
After picking up this drawing, the boy is led by the cat up a series of staircases. Higher and higher in the house he goes, past book cases, bird cages, comfy arm chairs, an old record player, chandeliers and lanterns, walls of framed art work. At one point, the reader sees what appears to be part of an alligator’s tail behind a partially closed door. And there are more wall messages: about not planning so much, about letting life surprise you, and about looking at the stars.
At the top of the house, the boy finds the artist: a little girl. Together they do look out at the stars, as well as fold the little girl’s scattered drawings into paper airplanes, which they send sailing out into the night.
On the Picturebook Makers website, the artist Maja Kastelic writes that her book is a “silent” one, “about a little boy’s morning wandering [I saw it as evening], and also, or even more, a story about going up and following the light, about curiosity and daring, getting lost and finding friendship, secrets, and also about hoping for and believing in happy endings. I also wished to make it as a homage to literature, illustration, and to the nostalgic beauty of old times and timeless things.”
I suppose Kastelic has achieved the things she wanted to, and she has produced some lovely art in the process. Having said that, I find the book just too nebulous, vague, and dreamlike to fully satisfy—which doesn’t mean there aren’t some children who will enjoy puzzling over the pictures. In the future, I’d prefer to see Kastelic work with an established children’s author who has a stronger sense of story. I think she could do a lot to enrich another’s written text, but for me, at least, her illustrations on their own just aren’t enough..
Thank you to Net Galley and Annick Press for providing me with a digital copy of this book for review purposes.
March 26, 2019
Sometimes a book is so good and yet so uncomfortable at the same time that it's really difficult to rate. A Boy and a House is an aesthetically pleasing wordless picture book that made me intensely uncomfortable, even while I appreciated the artwork. Why? Because the dingy colour palette, combined with the subject matter, made me really fear for the child. This appears to be a European title, and I get the feeling that Europeans aren't quite as worried about child luring and abductions as North Americans are. The little boy following a trail of mysterious drawings into the bowels of a house--unaccompanied, and at night, no less--felt uncomfortably like he was being lured to me. (Yes, the explanation and ending are innocent enough, but that doesn't erase the discomfort I felt the whole time I was "reading" this.)
The illustrations are cute, and there's plenty to look at in every picture (including some unexpected surprises). Perhaps if the setting had been more fantasy-like and less real-world urban, I wouldn't have had such a visceral reaction to the thought of a tiny boy trespassing in a nearly abandoned building all by himself.
Quotable moment:
Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press for providing a digital ARC.
The illustrations are cute, and there's plenty to look at in every picture (including some unexpected surprises). Perhaps if the setting had been more fantasy-like and less real-world urban, I wouldn't have had such a visceral reaction to the thought of a tiny boy trespassing in a nearly abandoned building all by himself.
Quotable moment:
Thank you to NetGalley and Annick Press for providing a digital ARC.
August 23, 2018
Honestly, I'm unsure whether I'll be using this as a wordless book for teaching purposes. While the pictures are delightful — the attention to detail is beyond extraordinary — I'm not at all sure what the accompanying story is supposed to be. It would be a nice feature if wordless picture books likes this one offered a sample story (not attached to the pictures but rather appended to the back of the book) for parents or teachers to refer to, if necessary, as a launching-off point.
August 4, 2018
If there is a deeper meaning to this book, I didn't get it. It appears to be the story of a boy who goes into a strange house, following a cat, and then discovering drawings on the floor, along the pathe that leads him up and up the stairs.
This is a narrative free picture book. There are words on the walls, but other than that, nothing is said in this book.
There is probably hidden meaning in the illustrations, but as far as I can tell, that is the story. Kids might get a kick out of trying to see what is in the background, of each image.
#ABoyAndAHouse #NetGalley
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book availabe for an honest review.
This is a narrative free picture book. There are words on the walls, but other than that, nothing is said in this book.
There is probably hidden meaning in the illustrations, but as far as I can tell, that is the story. Kids might get a kick out of trying to see what is in the background, of each image.
#ABoyAndAHouse #NetGalley
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book availabe for an honest review.
January 17, 2019
Maja Kastelic’s atmospheric illustrations in A Boy and a House trace a boy as he follows a cat into a spooky house in the evening. The picture book has no words, but the ending doesn’t really make sense with what came before. The illustrations greatly outpace the plot.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Annick Press in exchange for an honest review.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Annick Press in exchange for an honest review.
August 3, 2018
This wordless picture book by Slovenian author Maja Kastelic features a boy following a cat into and then through an old house. Along the way, he finds drawings scattered about rooms. The rooms are filled with "vintage" items. He finds a surprise awaiting in the attic. Although the book contains no words, it will certainly produce a lot of discussion for children who will be curious about what is contained in the picture. I believe the pictures were created with watercolors, but they are fairly "drab", probably in an effort to invoke the "old house feel." Just the thought of an unsupervised boy of this age will make many parents and other adults cringe, but others will view it as a product of another culture or as historic. I downloaded this "Read Now" title from NetGalley with the expectation I would write an honest review.
July 30, 2018
OK, I'll bite – the obvious reference here is Shaun Tan, especially as this wordless graphic story is so open to interpretation. However it has much less of his scale, even while sharing so much of his visual quality and attention to detail. A boy thinks he's chasing a black cat through open doors in a strange and empty building, when what he's really doing is following a different mystery back to its source. The reveal isn't a hugely surprising one, but all the same the design craft here makes this a book to pore over – gnomic sayings, mottos and scratchings litter the house, as do many other details – things unfinished, empty bird cages, keys on hooks, departing reptilian tails… I'd suggest the cat knows exactly what it's doing, as there are so many mice it's ignoring, and so do the creators of this book. I'd also point out the small art gallery in the building – and mention the wonderful, subdued palette of colours here that makes this worthy of being exhibited itself. Worth anyone's time.
March 10, 2020
A charmingly illustrated wordless book with something to look for on every page and a surprise at the end. (There's also a lovely Shaun Tan reference on one of the pages).
July 30, 2018
What's That Up There?
This is Slovenian artist Maja Kastelic's debut picture book. It is a simple wordless story of a young boy's search through an apparently empty house. As he travels upwards and toward the light at the top we are led to wonder who or what he might find at the end of his journey. Interestingly, in its first draft, the boy and the cat he has been following arrive at the roof of the building and celebrate the magnificent view of the dawning new day. Upon reflection Kastelic decided the story needed more, and we now have this young boy collecting drawings he finds on the floor as he climbs, and ultimately meeting a young girl with whom he can share the view over the town. Ms. Kastelic was pleased with the story as a tale "of friendship and finding a way to one another", and so it now stands in final form.
The work is done in watercolors with heavy emphasis on sienna, brown, umber and similar muted colors. The house that the boy explores is not any particular house but an amalgam of grand old houses and their interiors, many drawn from photos of old Slovenian town houses. There are lots of inside jokes, many particular to the artist, including self portraits, objects from her own home and so on. The larger goal, though, was to present a setting of larger and more general authenticity and interest, and it certainly seems to me that that is what you get here.
Lots of picture books claim to be worth close study and lots of wordless books suggest that they can be the source of endless homemade, in the mind of the reader, tales and fantasies. I don't always buy that blurb, but here it does seem to be true. There is so much detail, so many unexplored twists and turns and corners, and so many ways for the boy to proceed that it is easy and inviting to play along and make up one's own tales about what is being portrayed.
So, this is beautifully drawn and colored, and nicely structured to invite and encourage exploration and playful interpretation. A very elegant addition to the picture book collection.
(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
This is Slovenian artist Maja Kastelic's debut picture book. It is a simple wordless story of a young boy's search through an apparently empty house. As he travels upwards and toward the light at the top we are led to wonder who or what he might find at the end of his journey. Interestingly, in its first draft, the boy and the cat he has been following arrive at the roof of the building and celebrate the magnificent view of the dawning new day. Upon reflection Kastelic decided the story needed more, and we now have this young boy collecting drawings he finds on the floor as he climbs, and ultimately meeting a young girl with whom he can share the view over the town. Ms. Kastelic was pleased with the story as a tale "of friendship and finding a way to one another", and so it now stands in final form.
The work is done in watercolors with heavy emphasis on sienna, brown, umber and similar muted colors. The house that the boy explores is not any particular house but an amalgam of grand old houses and their interiors, many drawn from photos of old Slovenian town houses. There are lots of inside jokes, many particular to the artist, including self portraits, objects from her own home and so on. The larger goal, though, was to present a setting of larger and more general authenticity and interest, and it certainly seems to me that that is what you get here.
Lots of picture books claim to be worth close study and lots of wordless books suggest that they can be the source of endless homemade, in the mind of the reader, tales and fantasies. I don't always buy that blurb, but here it does seem to be true. There is so much detail, so many unexplored twists and turns and corners, and so many ways for the boy to proceed that it is easy and inviting to play along and make up one's own tales about what is being portrayed.
So, this is beautifully drawn and colored, and nicely structured to invite and encourage exploration and playful interpretation. A very elegant addition to the picture book collection.
(Please note that I received a free advance will-self-destruct-in-x-days Adobe Digital copy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
January 2, 2019
This little children's book, full of sweetness and wonderful colors, will warm your heart.
💫
A story told without words, because often the words are just getting in the way, when the feelings are speaking because of the gentle and simple acts, those act that brighten up the day. Today I bring you the review of this little jewel that, in its simplicity, was able to make me smile very often for its sweetness and its immediacy. There is no need for words when the heart is talking.
The drawings are magnificent, cute and sweet, suitable for a young and adult audience. The colors are warm, autumnal, perfect for this fast story, which could fit well into a rainy evening.
I recommend this book to all, to those who want to feel less lonely, to those looking for a friend, to those who feel sad, to those who want to read pictures more than words, who want to savor the simple moments of life, coincidences and everything that there is unforeseen in this world.
Few books like this are able to surprise with the sweetness of the drawings and with the beauty of the traits, colors and landscapes.
A good book, a good story, a good read.
3.75
*Thanks to Netgalley for sending me a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
💫
A story told without words, because often the words are just getting in the way, when the feelings are speaking because of the gentle and simple acts, those act that brighten up the day. Today I bring you the review of this little jewel that, in its simplicity, was able to make me smile very often for its sweetness and its immediacy. There is no need for words when the heart is talking.
The drawings are magnificent, cute and sweet, suitable for a young and adult audience. The colors are warm, autumnal, perfect for this fast story, which could fit well into a rainy evening.
I recommend this book to all, to those who want to feel less lonely, to those looking for a friend, to those who feel sad, to those who want to read pictures more than words, who want to savor the simple moments of life, coincidences and everything that there is unforeseen in this world.
Few books like this are able to surprise with the sweetness of the drawings and with the beauty of the traits, colors and landscapes.
A good book, a good story, a good read.
3.75
*Thanks to Netgalley for sending me a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
July 3, 2019
A BOY AND A HOUSE boasts lush illustrations by award-winning author-artist Maja Kastelic. It is a picture-only book that invites children to use their creativity as they follow the story of a little boy who follows a cat into an apartment building, where he finds drawing after drawing that leads him to a surprise in the attic. Highly recommended for the incredible artwork and the open-ended format that challenges kids to use their imaginations. 5/5
Pub Date 11 Sep 2018
Thanks to Annick Press Ltd. and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.
#ABoyAndAHouse #NetGalley
Pub Date 11 Sep 2018
Thanks to Annick Press Ltd. and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.
#ABoyAndAHouse #NetGalley
December 9, 2018
Stunning book. This is a wordless story which I don't usually pick up for my son but the illustrations are so beautiful, I couldn't resist. It's clearly a European city building and there are a ton of details to discuss while going through the book which is the point. I really enjoyed finding the little Easter eggs like Grimm Street and Andersen Street.
April 8, 2024
O menino e a casa (São Paulo: Callis, 2024)
August 6, 2018
Opening the first page of ‘Deček in Hiša’ (A Boy and a House) one can easily tell that this children's picture book is by a gifted artist and storyteller.
Maja Kastelic has a BFA in painting and an MA in philosophy and visual theory. Prior to the two years she spent working on this spectacular book, she worked as a retouching artist restoring frescos.
There are numerous details for children and adults to absorb in this wordless picture book.
I love the old world setting and the tonal quality of this book is unique and Maja's use of light is magnificent!
This book begins by showing the elegance of old Slovenian townhouses. These murky buildings have intricately sculpted ironwork. This leads to a sense of mystery further induced by people peeking out the windows and darting about outdoors.
Mice are peering out the heavily draped window, while the cat is luring a boy in a striped shirt inside. The boy follows the cat as they climb up staircases and walk across tiled and wooden floors. They go room to room and pass by toys, birdcages, hatracks and beautiful bookcases lit by chandeliers.
On the walls are portraits and I love that some of the portraits appear to be glancing at one another. (If you look closely, you will see the author's sons in frames on the wall.)
The boy is collecting drawings as he moves throughout the building to the attic where he'll meet a friend for some fun.
This wordless picture book is a treasure! Each illustration is a visual feast and tells the story with a sense of mystery, imagination, discovery, friendship, and fun.
I received a copy of this amazing book from Annick Press and Net Galley for an honest review.
Maja Kastelic has a BFA in painting and an MA in philosophy and visual theory. Prior to the two years she spent working on this spectacular book, she worked as a retouching artist restoring frescos.
There are numerous details for children and adults to absorb in this wordless picture book.
I love the old world setting and the tonal quality of this book is unique and Maja's use of light is magnificent!
This book begins by showing the elegance of old Slovenian townhouses. These murky buildings have intricately sculpted ironwork. This leads to a sense of mystery further induced by people peeking out the windows and darting about outdoors.
Mice are peering out the heavily draped window, while the cat is luring a boy in a striped shirt inside. The boy follows the cat as they climb up staircases and walk across tiled and wooden floors. They go room to room and pass by toys, birdcages, hatracks and beautiful bookcases lit by chandeliers.
On the walls are portraits and I love that some of the portraits appear to be glancing at one another. (If you look closely, you will see the author's sons in frames on the wall.)
The boy is collecting drawings as he moves throughout the building to the attic where he'll meet a friend for some fun.
This wordless picture book is a treasure! Each illustration is a visual feast and tells the story with a sense of mystery, imagination, discovery, friendship, and fun.
I received a copy of this amazing book from Annick Press and Net Galley for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 29, 2018
I read this as an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I like the concept of a wordless book, but I didn't like this particular one. The images in this book tell a story about a boy following a cat. I liked the concepts on each page and the ending is actually quite cute. The illustrations are pretty, but I don't think they'll catch the attention of small kids. I found it hard to find things to point at and it's very monochromatic.
I like the concept of a wordless book, but I didn't like this particular one. The images in this book tell a story about a boy following a cat. I liked the concepts on each page and the ending is actually quite cute. The illustrations are pretty, but I don't think they'll catch the attention of small kids. I found it hard to find things to point at and it's very monochromatic.
October 31, 2018
What will the little boy find at the top of the stairs?
When a little boy sees a cat slip into the open door of an apartment building, the temptation is too great: he follows the cat into the lobby. Before continuing up the stairway, the boy picks up one of several discarded drawings that litter the floor.
Another open door awaits. Again, the boy follows the cat, this time into an apartment filled with books and toys. No one is there, but a table set for tea testifies to the fact that someone has been there recently. More drawings are scattered throughout, which the boy picks up one by one. With his pile of sketches in hand, he continues up several more staircases until he reaches an attic where a wonderful surprise awaits him.
The stunning illustrations in this wordless book invite the reader into a mysterious world that evokes the beauty of the past. Drawn by the light radiating from every open doorway, the boy lets his curiosity take him on an amazing journey of discovery, which young readers can elaborate with their own versions of the story.
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
For ages four to seven or grades pre-K to 2.
I found this book extraordinary with a huge message at the very end. Children will be delighted with this solely illustrated book by Maja Kastelic, and the journey shared with them will conclude with a surprise ending.
The illustrations are brilliant and beautiful, the original story-line carried forward perfectly by the action drawn. You have to get this book for your little one, you won’t regret it. It would make for excellent mommy and me time, or daddy and me time, where parents are telling their own version of the story as shown or even their child is explaining what he/she is seeing.
Beautiful, bold, gorgeous, talented, extraordinary, original and creative!
Love it!
When a little boy sees a cat slip into the open door of an apartment building, the temptation is too great: he follows the cat into the lobby. Before continuing up the stairway, the boy picks up one of several discarded drawings that litter the floor.
Another open door awaits. Again, the boy follows the cat, this time into an apartment filled with books and toys. No one is there, but a table set for tea testifies to the fact that someone has been there recently. More drawings are scattered throughout, which the boy picks up one by one. With his pile of sketches in hand, he continues up several more staircases until he reaches an attic where a wonderful surprise awaits him.
The stunning illustrations in this wordless book invite the reader into a mysterious world that evokes the beauty of the past. Drawn by the light radiating from every open doorway, the boy lets his curiosity take him on an amazing journey of discovery, which young readers can elaborate with their own versions of the story.
MY THOUGHTS:
I received this book in exchange for my honest review.
For ages four to seven or grades pre-K to 2.
I found this book extraordinary with a huge message at the very end. Children will be delighted with this solely illustrated book by Maja Kastelic, and the journey shared with them will conclude with a surprise ending.
The illustrations are brilliant and beautiful, the original story-line carried forward perfectly by the action drawn. You have to get this book for your little one, you won’t regret it. It would make for excellent mommy and me time, or daddy and me time, where parents are telling their own version of the story as shown or even their child is explaining what he/she is seeing.
Beautiful, bold, gorgeous, talented, extraordinary, original and creative!
Love it!
October 17, 2018
Oh, the illustrations in this book! The color scheme creates such a fabulous atmosphere. The use of light to direct the audience’s attention to what the boy is seeing and the illusion of texture…magnificent. And though I love illustrations that are well done, it is particularly important in A Boy and a House because it has no text! Yes, that’s what I said. No. Text. The story is in the pictures, and with the exception of a few sayings subtly placed in unusual places, you must pay attention to see where the story is headed. Even more intriguing, the more you “read” the illustrations, the richer the story gets. I’ve gone back and reread it at least three times in this first sitting, each time scanning different parts of each page and finding something I’d missed before. Such a treat!
So, what is the story about? A boy appears to be walking home, getting distracted along the way, until he sees a cat in a well-lit doorway. Naturally, he must follow the cat, and in fact, the cat seems to want to be followed, waiting at way-points as the boy finds his way through a house that is most certainly not his. Along the way, he finds drawings, picking them up as he finds them, like gathering the bread crumbs that are leading him to somewhere special. At the end of the trail is a girl his age, making her drawings into paper airplanes, sailing them from the balcony of the highest floor of the house, sending them soaring with the birds. Or at least, that is how I see it at the most basic level. The beauty of a story in pictures is that the story is unlikely to be interpreted exactly the same by each reader. With no words for direction, the reader must create the words in their own head. Good stuff!
Another book I will be buying in print because it is an absolute MUST have for me, as well as my children. And I will be on the hunt for more work by Maja Kastellic because it is superb!
Note: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley. I pride myself on writing fair and honest reviews.
So, what is the story about? A boy appears to be walking home, getting distracted along the way, until he sees a cat in a well-lit doorway. Naturally, he must follow the cat, and in fact, the cat seems to want to be followed, waiting at way-points as the boy finds his way through a house that is most certainly not his. Along the way, he finds drawings, picking them up as he finds them, like gathering the bread crumbs that are leading him to somewhere special. At the end of the trail is a girl his age, making her drawings into paper airplanes, sailing them from the balcony of the highest floor of the house, sending them soaring with the birds. Or at least, that is how I see it at the most basic level. The beauty of a story in pictures is that the story is unlikely to be interpreted exactly the same by each reader. With no words for direction, the reader must create the words in their own head. Good stuff!
Another book I will be buying in print because it is an absolute MUST have for me, as well as my children. And I will be on the hunt for more work by Maja Kastellic because it is superb!
Note: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley. I pride myself on writing fair and honest reviews.
October 18, 2018
Originally published in Slovenia, A Boy and a House is a wordless books which transcends countries. Done in sepia tones, the book shows the story of a boy who follows a cat into an apartment building. Along the way he picks up pictures and follows the cat and the trail of pictures until he finds a girl in an attic. Together they throw paper airplanes over the city.
I love the art work of Maja Kastelic. She does an excellent job of telling the story through her pictures. She mixed many of her own colors for the illustrations and used a watercolor wash to convey a feeling of old photographs.
A Boy and a House, as most wordless books, would make a great story starter. The book could be used with a variety of ages as a creative writing or language development exercise. The book could also be paired with Journey by Aaron Becker for a compare and contrast lesson as there as a few similarities.
I want to thank Annick Publishers for the review copy of this picture book A Boy and a House by Maja Kastelic in exchange for this honest review. I highly recommend that you add this book to your wordless book collection. I will be adding the review copy to my school library so that more children can enjoy it.
I love the art work of Maja Kastelic. She does an excellent job of telling the story through her pictures. She mixed many of her own colors for the illustrations and used a watercolor wash to convey a feeling of old photographs.
A Boy and a House, as most wordless books, would make a great story starter. The book could be used with a variety of ages as a creative writing or language development exercise. The book could also be paired with Journey by Aaron Becker for a compare and contrast lesson as there as a few similarities.
I want to thank Annick Publishers for the review copy of this picture book A Boy and a House by Maja Kastelic in exchange for this honest review. I highly recommend that you add this book to your wordless book collection. I will be adding the review copy to my school library so that more children can enjoy it.
January 8, 2019
This wordless picture book follows a curious little boy as he wanders down a city street filled with tall, old houses. He follows a friendly cat through a door and into the lobby of an apartment building where he finds a drawing on the floor. As he trails after his new friend, he spots another drawing and another and another as he climbs the dark stairs. Along the way he passes through intriguing rooms filled with curious objects and walls covered with mysterious pictures, but he doesn’t pause to look. His curiosity gets the best of him so he just keeps climbing. What he finds at the top is a delightful surprise.
The soft, muted colors of the story made me think it was dusk as the boy set off on his adventure. They lent a mysterious tone to the story, but it wasn’t at all scary. All of the characters faces were full of gentle, friendly expressions and led me to believe the little boy was surrounded by kind and caring neighbors, although he was by himself.
This book will lead to lots of discussions with your little ones as you take turns telling the story. I love the opportunity for children to both use their imaginations and to express themselves as they tell their own version of a wordless picture book. This is available now.
The soft, muted colors of the story made me think it was dusk as the boy set off on his adventure. They lent a mysterious tone to the story, but it wasn’t at all scary. All of the characters faces were full of gentle, friendly expressions and led me to believe the little boy was surrounded by kind and caring neighbors, although he was by himself.
This book will lead to lots of discussions with your little ones as you take turns telling the story. I love the opportunity for children to both use their imaginations and to express themselves as they tell their own version of a wordless picture book. This is available now.
August 22, 2018
I read this as an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks, NetGalley!
This was a cute wordless picture book to follow. The artwork had a lot of hidden details in each page that made me go back and look through a few times. A found the story itself to be a little bland, but the details in the art are whimsical and fun find their meanings. There are mice on every page, which I liked, and there were drawing on the walls of the building as the boy makes his way up to the top. I did find it a little strange that a boy would walk not only into a random apartment building, but one that was seemingly abandoned.
Though I did enjoy the artwork, I did find it a little darker and therefore harder to see some of the details in the pages. This could’ve been because I was looking at a digital copy. I also found that even though it was a wordless picture book, some of the details were a little too subtle to notice right away. This could make it harder for young children to keep their interest, especially since the story itself is so linear. The ending was very sweet, however.
This was a cute wordless picture book to follow. The artwork had a lot of hidden details in each page that made me go back and look through a few times. A found the story itself to be a little bland, but the details in the art are whimsical and fun find their meanings. There are mice on every page, which I liked, and there were drawing on the walls of the building as the boy makes his way up to the top. I did find it a little strange that a boy would walk not only into a random apartment building, but one that was seemingly abandoned.
Though I did enjoy the artwork, I did find it a little darker and therefore harder to see some of the details in the pages. This could’ve been because I was looking at a digital copy. I also found that even though it was a wordless picture book, some of the details were a little too subtle to notice right away. This could make it harder for young children to keep their interest, especially since the story itself is so linear. The ending was very sweet, however.
January 8, 2025
Awful story. We know how books can encourage a behavior in our children's minds. But here? Suggesting that it is fine that a little white blonde boy follow some drawings, left like a riddle in the dark streets, leading to an empty and unknown house... because yeah, what bad things could happen anyway?
I'm all for fantasy genre, and yes, it is a fiction, but it takes place in a realistic setting where, at the end of his adventure, he goes into an attic where a lovely little white blonde girl was waiting for him.... yeah, realistic.
If you want to protect your children from predators, watch the short film 'Alma' by Rodrigo Blass (5 minutes) with them. And inform them of the warning signs. They will learn what happens when you, as a young kid, follow you naivety without noticing some adults' bad intentions.
I do not want to see evil intentions everywhere, but if a kid thinks, after reading this book, that it's fine to follow an adult if he promises him some nice drawings or candies, that's very sad. And concerning, as a parent. So 1 star for me.
I'm all for fantasy genre, and yes, it is a fiction, but it takes place in a realistic setting where, at the end of his adventure, he goes into an attic where a lovely little white blonde girl was waiting for him.... yeah, realistic.
If you want to protect your children from predators, watch the short film 'Alma' by Rodrigo Blass (5 minutes) with them. And inform them of the warning signs. They will learn what happens when you, as a young kid, follow you naivety without noticing some adults' bad intentions.
I do not want to see evil intentions everywhere, but if a kid thinks, after reading this book, that it's fine to follow an adult if he promises him some nice drawings or candies, that's very sad. And concerning, as a parent. So 1 star for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2018
A little boy who really shouldn’t be walking alone in that neighborhood at night finds an open door and doesn’t hesitate to go in. (There’s a sign just inside that says “Close the doors.”) After finding a kid’s drawing in the lobby, he follows a cat up the spiral staircase and into someone’s apartment. Other than picking up more drawings, he basically ignores all the paintings and knickknacks and books, instead heading right for another stairs, and then another, always following that cat.
It’s important to note that there’s no words in this entire book, other than what’s written on the walls, and that’s minimal. It’s like watching a vintage silent movie. I wish the kid was more interested in his surroundings, but children’s books are always short on space.
The artwork has a grainy quality—from a photography perspective—and the colors are muted, but that tone works here.
It’s important to note that there’s no words in this entire book, other than what’s written on the walls, and that’s minimal. It’s like watching a vintage silent movie. I wish the kid was more interested in his surroundings, but children’s books are always short on space.
The artwork has a grainy quality—from a photography perspective—and the colors are muted, but that tone works here.
April 29, 2019
You'll definitely want to add this title to your list of wordless picture books for young and older readers, alike. A young boy appears to venture out into the city after dark. Where is he going? What's he doing? (And did you notice when his backpack came off?). It was so satisfying to explore all the details on every page -- hidden keys, messages written on the wall, the activities of neighbors (and mice!). I won't spoil the story ending, but I can share there's a cat and paper airplanes involved. :)
The detailed illustrations are rendered in sepia coloring, except for splashes of muted reds. For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
The detailed illustrations are rendered in sepia coloring, except for splashes of muted reds. For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
April 14, 2023
I'm confused. Who is looking after this kid? Is it the women with the bun from the first page? Or the woman with a pony tail on the next page? How come no one is chasing after him to prevent him from entering a creepy looking building? I am fine with a boy exploring a new universe and making a new friend, but in a secure environment, as the boy was no more than 6 years old. The illustrations are full of details, but many of them are unsettling to me: the doll on the chair, the tail of the reptile in the cabinet, the dead fox serving as a scarf... This is simply not my kind of book.
Thank you NetGalley and Annick Press Ltd for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Read and reviewed: 2018-12-05
Thank you NetGalley and Annick Press Ltd for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Read and reviewed: 2018-12-05
September 14, 2018
It's a simple tale really. One without words but it engages you no less -
I did expect more from the book but it was a different kind of story. The power of it was in the art which was exquisite. Simply transformative and builds a mysterious atmosphere that hangs many questions as you flip pages, wondering and questioning the trail the boy is on until you reach the surprise that awaits him in the end. You question once more but there are no answers and there never were. This allows your imagination to take a flight and build a story that the book did not write.
Many thanks to Net Galley for allowing me a copy in exchange of an honest review.
November 13, 2018
A wordless picture book that was very well done. The tension and mystery was built very well. Maybe because I am a morbid m.f. I kept expecting the boy was being lead to a pedophile and was really anxious as he followed the paper trail, but it was just to a new friend so that's good. Probably should talk to your kids as you read it with them to make sure they know not to just follow "breadcrumbs" since bad people are more likely at the end of the trail than friends. A bit misleading. But still. Beautifully rendered and the tension beautifully built.
February 19, 2019
A Boy and a House by Maja Kastelic. Technically edited by Jernej Rodica. ©2018. Age Range: 4-7 years. Grade Level: Kindergarten-2nd grade. Kindle—Hardcover is 32 pages. Publisher: Annick Press. 5 Stars.
This is a picture book totally without text. The artwork is beautiful and detailed and adds mystery as it tells a great story of finding and making a new friend by following a cat though an old building. Highly recommend for young children and for those of any age who enjoy great art!
Thanks to NetGalley for providing this ebook for review!
This is a picture book totally without text. The artwork is beautiful and detailed and adds mystery as it tells a great story of finding and making a new friend by following a cat though an old building. Highly recommend for young children and for those of any age who enjoy great art!
Thanks to NetGalley for providing this ebook for review!
June 1, 2019
I absolutely adored this gorgeously illustrated picture book, complete with a mystery, curious cat, comical mice and a great ending. "A Boy and a House" is Slovenian artist, Maja Kastelic's début picture book. It was a simple and wordless story of a young boy's search through an apparently empty house. I particularly liked the use of sepia watercolours to depict the story.
Anyone who appreciates well-illustrated picture books will love this.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from the publisher via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Anyone who appreciates well-illustrated picture books will love this.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my own request, from the publisher via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
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