La gran pregunta/ The Great Question

by Wolf Erlbruch

A stunningly beautiful and poetic illustrated book for children that poses the biggest of all big questions: Why am I here? A chorus of voices-including the cat's, the baker's, the pilot's, and the soldier's-offers us some answers. But nothing is certain, except that as we grow, each one of us will pose the question differently and be privy to different answers. Wolf Erlbruch is considered one of Europe's most important illustrators. He has written and illustrated countless books for children and in 2002 was the winner of a special career award from the German Children's Literature Circle.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Philosophy

48 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Wolf Erlbruch (born in Wuppertal, Germany) was an award-winning illustrator and writer of children's books. He combined various techniques for the artwork in his books, including cutting and pasting, drawing, and painting. His style was sometimes surrealist and was widely copied inside and outside Germany, and some of his story books discuss adult topics such as death and the meaning of life. They have won many awards, including the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis in 1993 and 2003, and the Hans Christian Andersen Award for illustration in 2006.

Reviews

[Ghazaal B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

« خرگوش گفت:
«تو برای این به دنیا آمدی که نوازشت کنند»
نابینا گفت:
«برای اینکه اعتماد کنی.»
مشت‌زن گفت:
«تو به دنیا آمدی تا دست و پنجه نرم کنی» »

-رقیق می‌شود-

[Alejandra Arévalo · Rating 5 out of 5]

:')

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book about a year or so ago. A friend dropped it by and suggested I would like it. And I did. Indeed I ADORE this book. Contrary to those who find it to be an existentialist treatise, I found it to be the quintessentially clear and simple statement of the postmodern world view. Truths are simple and we all have our own simple truth. All the academic postmodern gobbledygook cannot explain it in better terms. Children can even learn --and as it appears to be a book meant for them -- about perspective and point of view and subjective grounding. A delightful book, an entertaining book, a book beautiful in its simplicity and indeed a brilliant book. I am so very disappointed it is out of print in English. The copy I read was borrowed. But if it were still in print I know I'd have several exemplars on my shelf, waiting to be gifted to the right children.

[Azul · Rating 3 out of 5]

lo usé para un cuentacuentos con niñes de kinder y funcionó bacán. en cada página hay una respuesta a la pregunta "por qué estamos aquí?" sin jamas explicar que esa es la pregunta. de todas formas les indiqué que lo preguntaran en voz alta cada vez que pasábamos la página y al final cuando les pregunté a elles porqué estábamos aquí, contestaron cosas similares a las del libro, así que fue misión cumplida jiji.

[José Miguel Tomasena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una maravilla. Todas las posibilidades expresivas del álbum al servicio de una historia filosófica... La gran pregunta

[Carrie Gelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creatively tackles the huge question: "Why am I here?" Marries my love of clever picture books and my B.A. in Philosophy. Love.

[Melissa Chalhoub · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really nice, love the illustrations.

[carpe librorum :)]

Isto pode muito bem ser uma primeira abordagem ao existencialismo. Mais tarde ou mais cedo, surge a pergunta: que faço eu aqui?, para que estamos nós aqui, neste planeta? Cada um tem uma resposta, sempre diferente, porque as pessoas são todas diferentes. é um livro aparentemente simples, mas bastante profundo. Gostei da parte final, a lista para ir apontando as respostas com as respetivas datas :)

[Jelka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly, the duck is such a mood.

[Sophie Fletcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

The big question is, "Why is this book not in print in English"? I found it in Germany and read it in German, but then tried to find a copy in English with no luck. I think that it retails second hand at around £200!

It's really a very early introduction to the concept of existentialism, with very few words and with beautiful illustrations as you would expect from Erlbruch. Reading it to my children is great fun as all sorts of questions arise from it. So if you have a copy in English count your lucky stars.

[Mollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an unusual book...the physical shape of it and the collaged illustrations and extensive use of white space. The simple answers, some humorous, some heart warming.

And the ending...inspires the child to continue opening to answers to the "big question" of "why am I here?"

The author's minimalist touch enables life's most elemental question to take flight, to soar beyond answers.

[Debrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually I read the Spanish edition, La Gran Pregunta.

Why are we here? To have birthday parties, says the brother. To bark, says the dog. To love life, says death. What do you say? (Pub. in Spanish by Kókinos.)

[Mladoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un album philosophique sur l'existence dite d'une technique graphique à forte connotation esthétique à coups de papier déchiré et de découpages superposés. Une belle interrogation vu par le spectre de multiples personnages, humains ou animaux.

[Shahd Mohammad · Rating 4 out of 5]

C'est vraiment une grande question, pourquoi sommes-nous sur Terre, j'ai aimé ce livre, c'est beau

[Verano por siempre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Todos los libros de Wolf Erlbruch son maravillosos y merecen ser leídos por cualquier persona. No te prives de darte ese gusto.

[Alejandra Inclán · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro poético, filosófico y existencialista. Una linda manera de hacer que un niño se haga preguntas y mire distintas perspectivas y respuestas variadas, según la existencia de cada ser.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Wolf Erlbruch's style of illustrations, the use of collage, the warm, calm tones, the drawn lines. The loveliness.
And I really enjoyed the fact that the question is never stated, but you still know what it is. And that after everyone has spoken and given their own opinion it gives you space the create your own answer, one that is fitting to yourself.

[Rrezi]

i dont know

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

☁️✨🌱🌻🦄💙

[J. Blair Hartman III · Rating 3 out of 5]

less interesting to me though i do like a repetitive question.

[Alice (❀´ ˘ `❀) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stelle

[Mín]

"Estás aquí para que te acaricien.
Estás aquí para besar las nubes"

Yo me quedo con esto :')

[Eduardo E. Vardé · Rating 5 out of 5]

Este libro debería venir con una advertencia: abre la mente.

[Giulia✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

🥹

[Mariam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe if I had read this book as a child it would’ve been easier to know why I’m here :)

[Carlos · Rating 5 out of 5]

La gran pregunta no tiene respuesta

[Elisa Bandini · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 e + stelle!

[Mariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lindo.

[Eretrece · Rating 3 out of 5]

Für Erwachsene wahrscheinlich melancholischer als für Kinder. Schön gemacht auf jeden Fall.

[Marcos Kopschitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excelente pequeno livro com uma grande questão: “Por que estamos aqui?”! Provoca reflexão, característica do autor e ilustrador alemão. Com desenhos e colagens simples e excelentes, também é muito simpático. Ao final, espaço para anotar mais respostas à “grande questão”.

Wolf Erlbruch formou-se em artes gráficas e trabalhou em editoras e em publicidade. É professor de ilustração na universidade de Wuppertal e recebeu o importante prêmio Hans Christian Andersen em 2006. Seus livros já foram traduzidos para vinte idiomas, e este foi o livro do ano na Feira de Bolonha de 2004.

A edição brasileira é de 2006, com reimpressão em 2013 em excelente papel couché fosco, e a tradução é de Roberta Saraiva e Samuel Titan Jr.

A edição muito bem cuidada sob todos os aspectos é uma marca da Cosac Naify, importante casa que revolucionou o mercado editorial brasileiro. Infelizmente, anunciou o encerramento de suas atividades ao final de 2015. Então, os títulos tendem a se esgotar com o tempo e não serem reimpressos. Assim, é aconselhável adquiri-los enquanto estão disponíveis.


OUTRAS OBRAS de Wolf Erlbruch

1. A grande questão *** R

2. O pato, a morte e a tulipa


Como ilustrador

3. A Tabuada da Bruxa *** R

4. A criação


*** R - com resenha