7-Imp’s 7 Kicks #741: Featuring Rascal
May 2nd, 2021 by jules
Pablo (Gecko Press, May 2021), a small, square concept piece from Belgian author-illustrator Rascal, is a French import, originally published in 2019 and translated by Antony Shugaar.
When we first meet Pablo, all nestled in his shell and not quite ready to face the world, he is asleep: “Ssshhhhh! (This is the last night he’ll be in his shell.)” In the morning — and this is fabulous — he has “a small croissant and a hot chocolate” for breakfast. Mind you, we still just see a darkly colored egg, sitting in the sun. Pablo knows he needs to come out of his shell, but he’s “a little bit scared.” Bit by bit and ever so slowly, as you can see in the selection of spreads below, he emerges, experiencing what his senses tell him about the world around him (“the smell of the soil and the perfume of flowers”). First, a “little tiny hole.” Then a second. Then a third. Then one for his beak. Then a leg pops out. And eventually, his wings.
The book, paced perfectly for the preschool audience at which it’s aimed, features simple designs: Pablo is encased in his egg, and when his eyes and beak emerge, they are basic circular and diamond shapes (also featured on the appealing opening and closing endpapers). The palette is mere black on white — but with an eye-catching surprise at the end (featured below!).
A study in the courage of children — er, chicks! — this one is a keeper. Here are some spreads. …
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and the perfume of flowers.”
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The only thing left is to get rid of his shell.”
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PABLO. Text and illustrations by Rascal © 2019, l’école des loisirs, Paris. English-language edition © Gecko Press Ltd 2021. Translation © Antony Shugaar 2021. Illustrations reproduced by permission of the publisher, Gecko Press.
Note for any new readers: 7-Imp’s 7 Kicks is a weekly meeting ground for taking some time to reflect on Seven(ish) Exceptionally Fabulous, Beautiful, Interesting, Hilarious, or Otherwise Positive Noteworthy Things from the past week, whether book-related or not, that happened to you. New kickers are always welcome.
1) Walks.
2) Sunshine.
3) This tweet from Jon Klassen.
4) Surprises in the mail.
5) Jet packs.
6) Fully vaccinated.
7) Yay, science!
What are YOUR kicks this week?
Ordering this book today. You’re my favorite doesn’t-work-in-a-bookstore bookseller, Julie.
As for my kicks:
1) After 20 months I’m taking my fully-vaccinated noggin to get a haircut today
2) Dirt under my fingernails as evidence that I’ve been planting stuff
3) The bright red promise of tomato season ahead
4) Ridiculous dog snores
5) Sunshine on my shoulders — it’s tank top time
6) Rewatching THE WIRE and reacquainting myself with Omar
7) The fine art of making a list
Shauna! Who is practically my neighbor! So nice to see your kicks. I have SERIOUS pandemic hair; it’s never been this long, and I can also make an appointment for a haircut now! I share your joy (though I haven’t made the appt yet). Enjoy your salon experience! Also, we JUST started The Wire. No kidding.
Hi Imps! Hi Rascal and Pablo! I would enjoy that breakfast as well.
Jules: YAY SCIENCE! Did you use a jet pack to fly??
Shauna: Have fun!
My kicks for the past week:
1) Creating opportunities
2) Sharing opportunities
3) Good news
4) Comfortable blankets
5) Comfortable clothes
6) Moderation
7) Mediation
Pablos looks so charming, love the detail of his breakfast of a small croissant and hot chocolate!
Jules – hooray for science and being fully vaccinated! Walks, sunshine and surprises in the mail sounds like a great week.
Shauna – hooray for being fully vaccinated! Ridiculous dog snores are the best. Enjoy your haircut. Omar is one of my faves.
Little Willow – hooray for opportunities, comfort and good news!
My kicks this week:
1) Sunshine
2) Surprises in the mail.
3) Good news.
4) Cooking with K-Mama sauce – yummy stir fry spiced up nicely.
5) Listening to the great Link Wray via this whole thread for his birthday today: https://twitter.com/sheilakathleen/status/1388911263271489537
6) Setting goals.
7) The Tina Turner doc on HBO – soooo good!
7.5) Sunday morning with sweet Daisy.
Happy May Imps! Have a wonderful week!
Little Willow: I wish! But no. Our summer movie project with the girls (started early, obviously) is watching all the James Bond movies. (Please note we’ve warned them about the rampant sexism and casual — or not-so casual — racism in many of them, especially the older ones.) Anyway, in Thunderball, circa 1965, Bond flies in a jet pack over a building. It was so unexpected that we had to pause the movie while the 15-year-old laughed. For, like, five minutes straight. I think it was the goofy helmet and the fact that he shot straight up. (Also, we read afterwards that the whole thing was really done by a stunt man — no special effects there. AND that they had to fly back to where they shot that, after packing EVERYONE up to shoot in another location, just to shoot Sean Connery putting the hlemet on. Oof.) Here you go:
Love your kicks, as always. I love the practicality of your comfy blankets and clothes.
Rachel: Hugs to Daisy! I reeeeally want to see that documentary, and thanks for the reminder!
have a good week, you all ….
Jules: Oh my goodness. Wow.
Rachel: Yay for good news!