Igor

by Francesca Dafne Vignaga

Lui è Igor, di sé sa solo il nome. Età di da 5 anni.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

Paperback

First published May 3, 2018

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Igor realizes he's the only Igor around, he goes searching for another creature like himself. Much enchanting adorableness follows.



There's not much more to the story than that, and most of the book is wordless. However, I couldn't stop squealing over how adorable Igor is, and I'm a nearly grown old lady. Children might just pass out over all the cuteness . . . which, I suppose, might make this a great bedtime book.

More Igor, please.

Thank you, NetGalley, and Windmill Books for the opportunity to meet Igor.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Igor is cute, but... I'm not really sure about the story. Basically, this little creature decides to set off to see if he can find someone who looks like him. The main bulk of the book is full of wordless spreads where Igor tries to blend in with various other creatures (with sometimes-amusing results). He eventually does find one of his own kind (supposedly... though I didn't really see the resemblance), and then he goes home because he's tired.

Check this one out for the illustrations, but don't expect much of a story. It would be good for a one-on-one bedtime read, but maybe not so much for groups of kids who might not be able to see the detailed illustrations.

[Soula Kosti · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED LOVED LOVED! And I'm definitely getting this for me nephew.

Igor is just so adorable and the illustrations are so detailed and gorgeous. In this little book, Francesca Dafne Vignaga writes about Igor who lives his life without having someone like him to experience it with so he decides to embark on a journey and discover more about himself.

Touching and more often hilarious, Igor is a children's book that contains wonderful illustrations and minimal text. It's almost impossible not to laugh when Igor tries to blend it with other animals (I laughed out loud with the illustrations of when he meets the raccoon and the owls).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC!

[Roxana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This adorable picture book features the cuuuutest little critter for a main character, and gentle, sweet illustrations that really make the simple bit of story come to life. I didn't think it was particularly clear that the larger animal at the end is the same kind of being as Igor, but other than that little quibble, I loved this cute book!

Thanks to NetGalley and Windmill Books for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Ms. Arca · Rating 2 out of 5]

The art is poetic and Igor is quirky. I liked those two things. Overall it just felt like not enough for me, not a story etc., but I can see someone liking it a lot.

[Cherlynn | cherreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aww, I love Igor! This is a beautifully illustrated book with lots of cute creatures and I love the art style. There isn't much of a story here due to the minimal text but I found it to be a soothing and relaxing read. Just unwind and enjoy the pictures 😉

I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley.

[Erin]

Absolutely beautiful illustrations, and Igor is so wonderfully adorable. Igor knows his own name, but not what or who he is. So he tries to find out. In the end, he finds some friends. Much of the story is wordless when Igor goes on his adventure of self-discovery, but I could stare at these pictures for days.

[Brunette Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly cute. Illustrations are sweet. A cute story about belonging and finding your way. Loved the tones in this book and will be buying this for our library.

[Dee Dee G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute.

[Iman Mahmoud · Rating 3 out of 5]

Igor is an adorable little creature who decides to go on a journey to find someone like him. On the way, he meets many different animals and enjoys his time.

I did not really think that the creature at the end is like him, and I do not think little children will understand that either. The illustrations are beautiful, almost magical. Overall, it is a good bedtime story for children.

Thank you, Windmill Books and Netgalley, for providing me with an advanced copy of the book to read and review.

[Peyton · Rating 3 out of 5]

It puts the ‘picture’ in picture book. It was a short story. I like the art style. The raccoon made me laugh.

[Sleepninja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about a character that does not know where he belongs as he has never seen any creature that resembles him. So he goes on a journey of self-discovery. I adored this book. The illustrations were gorgeous and really convey the story well. Which is important, as more than half of the story was in images alone. It's a very sweet story and has a great message.

[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Where do baby monsters come from? More specifically, where did baby Igor come from, and what sort of creature is he?

I appreciated this picture book’s prudent and sparse use of language. It’s minimalistic descriptions of Igor’s life and thoughts fit his curious personality perfectly. Of course he wouldn’t bother explaining obvious things when he could be off having adventures instead. The audience could infer why he made the choices he did through careful observation, and that’s exactly what this reader did. It was delightful to come up with my own theories about what might happen to him next before discovering whether or not they were correct.

The ending didn’t quite seem to fit the themes of the beginning and the middle. After his long journey, I had certain expectations of what Igor would find and how he’d react to the answers he received about where he came from and who he was. It would have been helpful to have more development in this section as I did find it confusing based on everything that had happened to him earlier.

With that being said, I adored Igor as a character. His unflappable personality was the perfect fit for all of the unexpected twists and turns in his adventures. There was nothing that would stand in his way of seeking the truth. I did feel I got to know him well, but I can’t help but it hope there will be more stories about him coming in the future.

Igor is a good pick for imaginative and adventurous readers of all ages.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

i will explain the rating ...i am rating on how i read the book. i have found that i can check out ebooks from my local library, using Overdrive i think is the situation and i read them through my kindle. or you can use "Libby". any who ...this was a book you can read through your browser ...so, i am rating that way. so, you know. and understand my thoughts. it is so confusing ...i had to figure it out myself, there are not instructions?? as a parent if you are one ...and you are wishing to allow your young one to read it ...i would think that knowing how is so important. there are no instructions. i had to read it in reverse reading page order ...to understand how to flip the pages. these illustrations are amazing, just gorgeous ...so for me ...i would totally read it in a real handheld book ...maybe if it was a kindle version instead of a browser read?? it would be easier cooler, etc. so cute. fun. quick read. must read if you are reading handheld or kindle version. now when i have been reading through the kindle through the library situation it works way better. not sure how reading kiddie reads would be different through the library situation verses Amazon kindle books? hope you are following there. but when you read an Amazon book you cannot enlarge the font. the library books you can enlarge the print ...get really close to the illustrations. it is so cool. that is the experience you should always get or have??! not sure what is different or why it is that way??!

[MookNana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Igor is generally a happy and content little fella, but, aside from his name and birthday, he really doesn't know a lot about himself and has never seen another creature of his kind. So, he embarks on a journey to see if he can find others like him. He meets many friends along the way and learns what's truly important to him.

The art in this book is gorgeous! The illustrations are soft and beautiful and I flipped through the book again just to admire them. Kids will enjoy naming all the various animals Igor meets. My one concern is that it was not immediately obvious to me that the last creature Igor meets is meant to be another of his species. I guess Igor is a baby version and this is an adult? I fear that if I didn't pick this up, young readers might not either, so be prepared for questions. This is still a lovely book, though, and would make a great wind-down story for pre-K and early elementary.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

[Psusan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Igor is a beautifully illustrated book of a special little creature’s journey by Francesca Dafne Vignaga. I must say the facial expressions of Igor was our favorite part when reading this quick book. He could say so much with a look.

My granddaughter, a first grader, read this book with me. For the most part she could read it on her own. Many pages were illustrations only which we enjoyed discussing while looking at closely. There was only one part of his journey that we didn’t understand. Looking at the copyright, this book was first written in Italian so perhaps something was lost in the translation since the text did not exactly fit the illustrations. A clearer explanation would have been helpful but of course this gave us something to try to solve.

All in all we like Igor’s way of being accepting, curious, and adventurous. It is also a great thing to know when to return home to regroup.

The publisher through Net Galley provided a digital ARC. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, giving my personal opinions and thoughts.

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite the unusual kids' read, this – it features Igor, who looks to all intents and purposes like some kind of hairy troll, or yeti or something, except he lives on a gingko tree and is only four inches tall. Feeling lonely, he seeks company and adventure and someone else like him – but the whole bulk of the book with Igor on his travels is textless, just snapshots of him in unlikely company (posing in glasses with a pair of owls, as if he's their baby, swimming with the fishes, etc) and unlikely situations. It's a whole low-on-narrative montage that is of a kind seldom seen, and makes this a very quick read but a distinctive one. I'd also say the art qualities are seldom seen, for they're also highly distinctive, with a clarity and ease and warmth of character to die for. Even considering how peculiar it feels to drop the text for such a portion of the book, I'd definitely recommend accompanying Igor on his journeys. A strong four stars.

[Sharon Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Igor is a pictureboook written and illustrated by Francesca Dafne Vignaga. The only thing Igor knows about himself is his name. When he's not busy playing, he likes to watch what the animals do, but why has he never seen anyone else like himself? Maybe it is time to leave home and go on a journey of self-discovery.

Igor is a lovely picturebook. The illustrations are absolutely wonderful, and capture the reader's attention and imagination. The detail is wonderful and I liked the style. The story itself is simple. Igor wants to know if there are others like him out there so he goes on an adventure. It was fun seeing him try to blend in with a variety of creatures, which were clearly different from him., but being welcome to try with nothing but a little side eye from some around him. I liked the journey, and his success. However, I need to admit that I still have no idea what type of creature Igor might be.

[Hannah McCornack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Igor only knows his name. While he is content in life, he does wonder if there are others out there that look like him. He sets off on an epic adventure to find where he belongs.

Full of beautiful illustrations and an adorable protagonist, this is a pleasant read. Much of Igor's adventure is portrayed through images only. While beautifully rendered, it might be difficult to keep a little one's attention during these scenes. We also don't see much emotion from Igor during his journey. I wanted more.

Thank you to Netgalley and West 44 books for this galley.

[Books, Brews & Booze]

How much do I love Igor? Let me count the ways.

1.) Igor is adorable.

2.) Igor is adventurous.

3.) Igor is inquisitive.

He wonders why he hasn't seen any creatures around, who look like him. So he goes on exploring to see who he can find. And find he does! See how Igor interacts with moths, fish, bats, owls and more.

Gosh, I love Igor. He is adorable and Francesca Dafne Vignaga, as the author and illustrator, does a nice job. The character and artwork are the stars of the show for me!

Thank you Netgalley and Windmill Press, for the opportunity to read this book.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Embarking on the journey through "Igor" by Francesca Dafne Vignaga was akin to uncovering a hidden gem within the realm of children's literature. Allow me to introduce Igor, a character seemingly torn from the pages of a fairy tale – part hairy troll, part mini yeti, but unquestionably possessing a heart brimming with curiosity.

The narrative unfolds with a refreshing simplicity as Igor sets out on a quest for companionship and self-discovery. An intriguing turn in the story presents a textless montage of Igor's adventures, an artistic approach that requires no words to convey its charm. Through snapshots, we witness Igor's playful encounters, posing with owls in glasses and gracefully swimming alongside fishes.

While the decision to go textless may seem unconventional, it adds a layer of uniqueness to the storytelling. The absence of words allows readers to interpret Igor's journey in a personal and nuanced manner. What truly elevates this book is the remarkable artistry of Francesca Dafne Vignaga, whose illustrations radiate clarity, simplicity, and an undeniable warmth.

Accompanying Igor on his travels proved to be a genuinely delightful experience. This book, with its blend of simplicity, charm, and artistic brilliance, captured my attention. Despite the absence of words for a portion, the visual storytelling and Igor's endearing adventures resonated profoundly.

In sum, "Igor" merits a solid four stars in my assessment. It is a snug and heartening read, capable of sparking imagination and leaving an indelible, warm impression. I wholeheartedly recommend it to those seeking a story with a distinctive narrative and artistic flair.

[JoyAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the illustrations. They are gorgeous and entertaining. I was honestly torn between 3 and 4 stars. But my 7 year old loved the images and kept giggling at Igor, so 4 it is. Somehow for not saying much, Igor has a lot of personality! I wish there was more text at times, but the pictures do a nice job of filling in the blanks and perhaps it could be a chance for the child potentially being read to or reading to fill in some of the blanks themselves.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Igor and his story. This is a beautifully illustrated book that I imagine will capture reader's attentions (like it did mine) with its' simple but thoughtful prose. I did become a bit confused at the ending as I didn't immediately recognize the last creature to be of the same species, but the illustrations did assist in making the point clearer.

Overall, I definitely recommend and will be purchasing for my children in the future!

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Igor is an adorable book! The cover is what originally drew me to this book. The artwork is fantastic! My children and I loved following Igor on his journey to find others like him.
Overall Igor is a very cute story with wonderful artwork.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Raegan · Rating 2 out of 5]

*I received this book for free through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

Nothing we haven't seen before.

This didn't seem very thought-out. There are several pages with no writing. Which results in little to no story. The lesson is, there are people out there like you, even if you are different. I like the art style but overall it is rather plain and half-hearted.

[Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this whimsical story about being different and how you can always find someone out there with something in common with you. The illustrations are absolutely adorable. The sparse text lends itself to discussion and the use of imagination by young readers.

This unbiased review is based on a complimentary copy provided by the publisher.

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story to read to children about looking for someone that looks like you and finding them. The way the author uses short sentences as well as pages with just pictures is a great way of giving children a chance to tell the story. I would use this book with the toddlers in my classroom. I voluntarily reviewed an advance readers copy of this book.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very beautiful illustrations and a simple story. The appeal of this book is the story said through illustrations. The ending is a little flat and confusing but sufficient for small kids. The drawings will make them laugh.

I received an advanced reader from Net Galley.

[Cheyenne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a digital copy of this book on NetGalley in advance in exchange for my honest review. The illustrations in the book were pretty. The story felt undeveloped. Igor wanted to find creatures like himself. The middle of the book consisted of many wordless pages of illustrations.

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

So sweet! I like little Igor- brave, friendly, curious.... I think littles will enjoy this simple little story. Illustrations are darling!
I received a Kindle arc from Netgalley in exchange for a fair review.