What do you think?
Mediterraneo
A lifeless body. One of many in the waters of the Mediterranean. Precarious boats navigate the waters of the sea, from south to north. And more often than not, it is not only hope that drowns. From the creator of The Island.
Hardcover
Published July 13, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
August 24, 2021
In this, the third book I was given to read and critique for Children's Reading Week, from the CBCA's past winners list. This one was awarded Honour Book in the CBCA Picture Book of the Year category, 2019 and I really don't know how to feel about that. Once again I have to wonder, strongly wonder even, if ANY children actually had their opinions asked about these books that win 'children's awards'.
On one hand, the art impressed me a great deal and the political and humanitarian points the book makes are valuable and valid... On the other hand, the entire book is remarkably depressing in every way, the artwork is often more than a little scary and I am significantly doubtful that most children would 'get' it.
In context; I was one of four adults who read this book. I was the first to pick up the fact that it was about refugees. The youngest of us never quite connected it with the Mediterranean refugee situation. All were taken aback by the fact that the first few words were about someone drowning. In fact, the only words for the entire of the book proper - as a child, I am certain I would have been nagging my parent the whole way though asking what it meant. There is a solid block of explanation at the back of the book, telling us what I had come to suspect it was all about, but that block of text seems to me to be directed at adults or older kids.
At the end of the day, I really don't know what to say about this! The art was good but as one reader in his early 20's said ;"what are they giving children to read these days?". What would a child get out of it when (unbriefed) adults don't even really follow the intent? It is not that I don't think children should have the hard stories told to them, I just am doubtful about what this one will actually convey. A doubt that was clearly not shared by the CBCA voting council, so ignore my view by all means.
On one hand, the art impressed me a great deal and the political and humanitarian points the book makes are valuable and valid... On the other hand, the entire book is remarkably depressing in every way, the artwork is often more than a little scary and I am significantly doubtful that most children would 'get' it.
In context; I was one of four adults who read this book. I was the first to pick up the fact that it was about refugees. The youngest of us never quite connected it with the Mediterranean refugee situation. All were taken aback by the fact that the first few words were about someone drowning. In fact, the only words for the entire of the book proper - as a child, I am certain I would have been nagging my parent the whole way though asking what it meant. There is a solid block of explanation at the back of the book, telling us what I had come to suspect it was all about, but that block of text seems to me to be directed at adults or older kids.
At the end of the day, I really don't know what to say about this! The art was good but as one reader in his early 20's said ;"what are they giving children to read these days?". What would a child get out of it when (unbriefed) adults don't even really follow the intent? It is not that I don't think children should have the hard stories told to them, I just am doubtful about what this one will actually convey. A doubt that was clearly not shared by the CBCA voting council, so ignore my view by all means.
August 14, 2019
Devastating, haunting and beautifully illustrated.
August 20, 2019
The Mediterranean is a powerful picture book designed for older readers. It’s outstanding, haunting and a true circle of life representation that is sure to stay with you long after you have closed the book for the last time.
Armin Greder’s story consists of exactly five lines (one sentence) on the first page, the rest is told through his fascinating artwork. The Mediterranean is an all too common story about how refugees get to the point that they feel they need to take a boat, illegally, across the seas to live in another country. It’s about the dangers faced, both at home and on the sea, and the all too common reality of those boats capsizing and sinking … hundred of human lives thrown into the sea, destined to drown. The catastrophe is usually swept under the carpet, the value of human life ignored yet again. If it does make the headlines, Alessandro Leogrande points out that statistics are given and nothing else.
The Mediterranean is a book that poignant and pulls no punches. It forces you to acknowledge the horrendous reality of refugee experiences and decisions. It asks the reader to feel, to understand, and to push for change in whatever way they can. It illustrates a circle of life that we can no longer be complacent in. We do not have that luxury, nor do those we ignore.
The afterword by Alessandro Leogrande seeks to give more information to the reader. Over two pages, it breaks down the narrative, referencing very real events and highlighting many of the take-home messages from this powerful book.
I … I have no words to effectively explain this book. I dare you to read it.
The Mediterranean by Armin Greder was shortlisted for the 2019 CBCA Picture Book of the Year. The book was awarded the title of Honour book in the category.
This review was originally posted at The Never Ending Bookshelf and can be found here: https://wp.me/p3yY1u-1Rq
Armin Greder’s story consists of exactly five lines (one sentence) on the first page, the rest is told through his fascinating artwork. The Mediterranean is an all too common story about how refugees get to the point that they feel they need to take a boat, illegally, across the seas to live in another country. It’s about the dangers faced, both at home and on the sea, and the all too common reality of those boats capsizing and sinking … hundred of human lives thrown into the sea, destined to drown. The catastrophe is usually swept under the carpet, the value of human life ignored yet again. If it does make the headlines, Alessandro Leogrande points out that statistics are given and nothing else.
The Mediterranean is a book that poignant and pulls no punches. It forces you to acknowledge the horrendous reality of refugee experiences and decisions. It asks the reader to feel, to understand, and to push for change in whatever way they can. It illustrates a circle of life that we can no longer be complacent in. We do not have that luxury, nor do those we ignore.
The afterword by Alessandro Leogrande seeks to give more information to the reader. Over two pages, it breaks down the narrative, referencing very real events and highlighting many of the take-home messages from this powerful book.
I … I have no words to effectively explain this book. I dare you to read it.
The Mediterranean by Armin Greder was shortlisted for the 2019 CBCA Picture Book of the Year. The book was awarded the title of Honour book in the category.
This review was originally posted at The Never Ending Bookshelf and can be found here: https://wp.me/p3yY1u-1Rq
December 17, 2017
A book that needs very little words. In fact this entire book only has one sentence. The series of charcoal art works showcase the ‘food chain’ of the Mediterranean.
By itself, it is a powerful book that presents the reader with knowledge that is otherwise swept under the rug. The issue that thousands upon thousands of refugees die at sea in people laden boats, and that no one seems to care. Or when they do, they don’t care enough to question their own hand in the disaster. What could they, we, have done to stop such a large group of people slipping under the waves?
Even when the topic is brought up the mere idea of a reasonable explanation for the fleeing of refugees seems appalling to most. The idea that sects of this world are ravaged by war, famine, dictatorship, or simply broken societies in which putting your families lives in the hands of a dingy boat rather than staying doesn’t seem to compute with the wider population.
The afterword by Alessandro Leogrande explains it better than I ever will. So, I suggest you read it for yourself.
By itself, it is a powerful book that presents the reader with knowledge that is otherwise swept under the rug. The issue that thousands upon thousands of refugees die at sea in people laden boats, and that no one seems to care. Or when they do, they don’t care enough to question their own hand in the disaster. What could they, we, have done to stop such a large group of people slipping under the waves?
Even when the topic is brought up the mere idea of a reasonable explanation for the fleeing of refugees seems appalling to most. The idea that sects of this world are ravaged by war, famine, dictatorship, or simply broken societies in which putting your families lives in the hands of a dingy boat rather than staying doesn’t seem to compute with the wider population.
The afterword by Alessandro Leogrande explains it better than I ever will. So, I suggest you read it for yourself.
January 14, 2020
A very powerful and silent book - both wordless and without sound. A confronting and real perspective of the unseen world of ‘boat people’. Once you make the connection of what comes of refugees seeking asylum via boat it’s hard to not see a bigger picture that is more than meets the eye or we can fathom.
October 8, 2019
Armin Greder's work never fails to have an impact...this book, particularly. The pictures tell the story, whilst the Afterword by Alessandro Legrande provides the backstory for the tale. Gutwrenching, devastating, but stunning.
January 24, 2019
Oof this one packs a punch. Story told visually, and done very well.
February 6, 2020
A brutal story about refugees travelling over the Mediterranean - what can happen, why they attempt such a dangerous journey and how we ignore these people and their plight. The story has no words but very intense illustrations. I would be unlikely to use this book in primary classes but a useful book to be aware of.
August 24, 2019
This is devastating. It only has a few lines but the words are chilling and set the scene for the rest of the book. The interconnectedness of us all to this 'situation' and through our ignorance or silence our complicity is nothing short of gut-wrenching. This picture book is incredibly important.
October 19, 2019
Another powerful book by Greder.
Exploring the sadness and horrific journeys that refugees take for a better life.
There are minimal to no words in this book so a great way to explore literal meaning and inference.
Exploring the sadness and horrific journeys that refugees take for a better life.
There are minimal to no words in this book so a great way to explore literal meaning and inference.
May 31, 2019
I find Greder’s books so dark and disturbing, but I think that’s the point. It’s hard to like this book, but impossible to deny the significance.
April 6, 2019
People here have already said everything I have to say about this book - devastating, dark, haunting. Greder tells the story that we don't see in our mainstream press. He humanises the catastrophe of the hopeless plight refugees face when fleeing war, famine, broken political systems - all things we can stop if we had the mind to. Greder makes this story personal - he shows that I am complicit in this horror.
It's strange that, in this age, some readers persist in thinking books like this are 'children's books'. Books such as this one are for an older audience. I call these 'postmodern picture books' (they're also known as 'sophisticated picture books'). They help make the stories of our age accessible to a much broader audience than a research paper or a reference book can.
It's strange that, in this age, some readers persist in thinking books like this are 'children's books'. Books such as this one are for an older audience. I call these 'postmodern picture books' (they're also known as 'sophisticated picture books'). They help make the stories of our age accessible to a much broader audience than a research paper or a reference book can.
June 13, 2019
Armin Greder is writing about an important and sobering issue, I am just not sure how well this has been captured and communicated through this picture book. Unlike The Island, which clearly communicates its message through the tones, actions and facial expressions of all involved, I feel this book needs the accompanying "Afterward" and the blurb on the back cover.
The book starts with an unexpected, shocking few phrases, and then the associated images. We follow this event through a logical chain - although some of the links aren't as obvious/logical as I would like - and end up back where we started.
Worth reading and reflecting on - but a little too confusing.
The book starts with an unexpected, shocking few phrases, and then the associated images. We follow this event through a logical chain - although some of the links aren't as obvious/logical as I would like - and end up back where we started.
Worth reading and reflecting on - but a little too confusing.
October 12, 2020
Not sure who the intended audience is. It's a picture book, but definitely not for young children, unless they want to be haunted by pastel images of people drowning, being eaten by fish or crammed onto a sinking boat. It almost has a Maus vibe to it, in its matter-of-fact depiction of mass death. But it's an important visual reflection on the dark truth that lies under the sparkling surface of the Mediterranean Sea; that it's a grave for many thousands of people who have joined the huddled masses fleeing poverty, famine, war, despair. Pairs well with episode 4 of the TV series Years and Years, in which the absurd horror of seeking safe passage by boat becomes all too apparent in a terrifying and visceral way.
July 1, 2024
🌊 Un silent book che mi ha travolta come un oceano. Il Mediterraneo è diventato un cimitero da decenni, ma se ne parla sempre troppo poco. Al massimo se ne parla di fretta, citando il numero di morti come se fossero solo quello, numeri, tanto ormai le tragedie sono all'ordine del giorno. Vittima più, vittima meno. Corpi senza nome, senza storia, corpi che il mare si mangia nel nostro silenzio. Come se non avessero qualcuno a cui mancheranno, qualcuno che gli stava aspettando, come se non fossero amati, come se non avessero diritto, il minimo per ogni essere umano, ad una sepoltura, la dignità di un ultimo rito funebre.
I disegni dell'autore sono di una potenza incredibile, strazianti. Leggetelo.
I disegni dell'autore sono di una potenza incredibile, strazianti. Leggetelo.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2019
A wordless art book showing the tragic story of many of the refugees who have drowned while fleeing violence. Armin Greder's illustrations give voice to a humanitarian crisis thru the same silence as those swallowed by the Sea. With an afterword by journalist Alessandro Leogrande that provides additional context, this is a book of grief as well as a call to engage with politic action. A note from an Amnesty International spokesperson on the back cover gives further context. The pictures, the art, is the heart, the story, the tragedy and the call, all present and offered in this slim volume.
January 6, 2025
This sophisticated picture book is composed of haunting, purposeful images designed to provoke conversations about the refugee plight.
It is a reminder that there are some stories that defy words.
Like Tan’s ‘The Arrival’ (actually most of Tan’s work), this is a picture book for older children and adults.
It is a reminder that there are some stories that defy words.
Like Tan’s ‘The Arrival’ (actually most of Tan’s work), this is a picture book for older children and adults.
July 17, 2019
This is DARK.
There are words on the first page and then an explanation on the last but it is fully told in pictures, in Armin's well known illustration style.
It tells of how refugees die at sea without us knowing, but that we are all connected.
There are words on the first page and then an explanation on the last but it is fully told in pictures, in Armin's well known illustration style.
It tells of how refugees die at sea without us knowing, but that we are all connected.
February 24, 2018
devastating
March 29, 2018
This is an unforgettable picture book. The images are shocking and heart wrenching.
October 11, 2018
Almost completely illustrated. Beautifully haunting. Heartbreaking.
December 1, 2018
A painful introduction to the plight of refugees. Suitable for older readers, teens and adults.
Heartbreaking, there is no sugar coating here.
Heartbreaking, there is no sugar coating here.
May 29, 2019
A beautiful visual of life, death, and the circle of life.
Read
August 28, 2019So powerful and sad.
The first (and only) sentence with following pages of child and fish is shocking but so effective and thought provoking. Once seen this book can’t be forgotten.
The first (and only) sentence with following pages of child and fish is shocking but so effective and thought provoking. Once seen this book can’t be forgotten.
October 21, 2019
KS2 picture book with very few words allowing for a lot of discussion and interpretation around the powerful images.
October 13, 2021
Told with stark images, the plight of refugees crossing vast bodies of water can be perilous. What a vicious circle of life as you find out after reading this. Very powerful.
January 28, 2022
Chilling. No words needed.
November 9, 2022
This book is really deep in emotion. Not really recommend for young readers, more for an older audience.
April 30, 2023
Devastatingly haunting. A story told only in pictures. It's definitely designed for older readers as the subject matter is a heavy one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews