The Yes
Written by Sarah Bee
Illustrated by Satoshi Kitamura
Published by Andersen Children's Books
We love surprises, we also love it when books we've never seen before or heard of silently drop through our letterbox to wriggle their way into our hearts. I'm sure my other half would be the first to agree that I'm definitely not "The Yes" but have been known to be "The Maybe" from time to time.
Here's a book that is glowing and full of positive energy. We have now read it several times and it's a very uplifting "Glass is half full" book, as you'll see as we expand on that in our review.
"The Yes" is a huge orange creature, which reminded Charlotte of a cross between Pac-Man and an elephant (her words!) The Yes lives in a barren landscape, the where - and the where is inhabited by The Nos. The Nos are scribbly scrobbly scratchy little creatures - and every time The Yes wants to do something, The Nos are always there to try and drag him down.
Can The Yes climb a tall fruit tree? "No No!" squeal the Nos, and they try to smother The Yes - but The Yes says "Yes yes!" and is soon scaling the tree to find the delicious fruits at the top.
The Yes embarks on a journey across the land, dogged at every step by those pesky Nos but never giving up hope.
Sarah Bee's lovely nonsense-like text (nonsense in a good way, we mean - like Edward Lear but dreamier!) couples perfectly with Satoshi Kitamura's utterly beautiful stylised artwork. It's almost like the book creates its very own soundscape as you read, you can imagine the noises The No would make - and the peaceful calming voice of The Yes.
As we said at the top of the review, a lovely surprise. Satoshi Kitamura is a regular favourite on the blog and this has been a wonderful introduction to Sarah Bee's writing too. We say a huge orange-glowy YES to this one!
Charlotte's best bit: The Yes at the bottom of the big blue sea
Daddy's Favourite bit: This is so much fun to read aloud, you can really play with the words and really enjoy the way this book flows. Sumptuous and gorgeous illustrations also make it completely entrancing. Yes indeed!
(Kindly sent to us by Andersen Children's Books)