“Lisette’s Lie” by Catharina Valckx

admin July 15, 2022

0 4 minutes read

LISETTE’S LIE, By CatharinaValckx; Translated by Antony Sugar
FOX TELLS A LIE, Susanna Isan; Illustration by Leire Salaberria
Chikadi: Criminal Mastermind, By Monica Sylvie; Illustration by Elina Ellis

If children share one great talent, it’s their ability to compose things. We encourage it because it stimulates creativity. But at the same time, we know that building things is not far from lying.

In Catalina Falx’s “Rizet’s Lie,” a lucky little bird named Rizet and her little lizard companion, Bobby, are about to liven up a noisy day. After a little thought, they collude to do something they’ve never done before: lie. They have no plans or goals until they approach Popov, a friendly, thick-headed elephant who asks, “What are you doing?” Alas, their improvisational tactics about going on a trip to the mountains are pretty volatile. For one thing, there are no visible mountains. To make matters worse, Popof decides that he will join them. This demands Lie 2, which is amazing. Rizet points to a small hump at her feet and declares, “This is it!” Now Popov may be dim, but he knows a fake mountain when he sees it, and to prove his claim he grabs a shovel and turns the hump into a higher hump. Popov’s “Mountains” provide a stunning view to our mischievous duo, where he proposes to create an adjacent lake. Immediately a talkative trio splattered into the water, and what began as an experiment of deception became, behold, the absolute truth.

Valckx’s prose is joyfully wandering around. Her character may have wings, a tail, and a torso, but they sound and act like the kids we know. The text matches the vibrant and loosely drawn watercolors, and the animals are bordered by bright black brush lines, creating a charm.

The story has an allegorical quality, but unlike Aesop, Valckx keeps that moral in mind. The lies that Rizet says never really succeed. That said, I welcomed the last line of the book, a gentle rebuke from her amused mother. It’s added, but it’s important. After all, we don’t want her to turn this into a habit.

For a more dramatic story of deception, see Susanna Island’s “Fox Tellsa Lie” (available in both English and Spanish). The story begins with a group of animals gathering in the lake in the spring, discussing the existence of a mysterious and perhaps mythical Super Turtle. All suspicions subside when Fox actually announces that he is the best friend of the flying turtle hero. Namedropping is sticky enough, but Fox is lying, and — shameful! — He is just getting started. By the end of the day, the story of his created Super-Turtle turned him into a minor celebrity.

But soon, the flowers fall out of the hoax. The stunning expanse shows a miserable fox lying in bed at night for fear of being found. What can he do? It draws him even further, even when he devises a plan to sneak out of his lies.

At the most thrilling moment in the book, Fox lies threaten the lives of friends. Fascinating page turning reveals a tall tree with squirrels trying to jump out of a tall branch. do not be afraid. No one gets hurt. However, a nearby disaster finally forced Fox to make a fuss. He apologizes. He cries. He is also scolded. The little story may have ended with this sober note, but it has a surprising twist.

Leire Salaberria’s cleverly constructed illustrations are drawn with bright green and orange wash and include visual clues to the subplot that kids enjoy sniffing. Her animal character may look a bit wooden, but its features and gestures have a sweet and primitive charm.

Isern’s fascinating story reveals that deceptive language has dangerous consequences, that truth is important, and that perhaps flying turtle superheroes eventually exist.

If you can forgive the fox who lied, what about Chikadi who invaded and entered? This is a crime that is said to be at the heart of Monica Sylvie’s “Chikadi: Criminal Mastermind”. The perpetrator in question, a bird in a small black hat (“I wear a mask”), is a “bad species”. Or so he thinks.

The story told in flashbacks describes a happy childhood with loved ones. Parents warn chicks to stay near the forest and far away from people’s homes. So why does this good bird do the exact opposite? It blames winter, snow, food shortages, and the unexpected appearance (like a mirage) of a vault full of bird seeds. Who can blame this hungry creature? It’s no wonder his crime begins.

But, readers, please wait a moment. Sylvie’s stupid conceit is staring at us head-on. Suspended from someone’s backyard pole, this precious “gold vault” is not private or even off limits. Suddenly, our feathered antiheroes look very sympathetic. He is not a criminal. He is simply, uh, ignorant. It’s a painful juxtaposition that takes the level of humor to the next level.

Sylvie’s energetic story is well interwoven with Elina Ellis’ colorful illustrations featuring caricatures, talk balloons, comic diagrams, and dramatic scale changes, with an eye on many gag and plot key elements. Aim.

If the child doesn’t see the central joke first, there is a “slow motion” replay. But I expect you to read this book many times. There are no crimes in it!

Jon Agee is the author of “Otto: A Palindrama” recently.