Claire Babin

A dreamy young boy given to flights of fancy, Gus - Gustave in the original French - becomes a fish in this charming picture-book from Claire Babin, turning bath-time into an opportunity to explore the underwater world of a pond. As he swims here and there, observing the water lilies and reeds, interacting with a duckling, and the other fish, Gus gains an appreciation for the beauty of this enclosed ecosystem...

Like its companion, Gus Is a Tree, this title combines the wonder of dreaming with the enlightenment of discovery, producing an engaging story that will inspire young readers to more closely examine the natural world around them. Vocabulary words are given in all capital letters in the text, and defined at the rear of the book, for those children who want to know more. Olivier Tallec's illustrations are a bright montage of painted and photographic elements, all mixed together to create an immensely appealing whole. All in all, this is an engaging book - imaginative and fun, and just a little bit different!… (mehr)

Originally published in France as Gustave est un arbre, this charming picture-book from Claire Babin is one in a series of titles detailing the adventures of Gus, an imaginative young boy who manages to transform every experience into a magical voyage of discovery. Resting under a tree on the playground one day, Gus dozes off, dreaming that he is a tree in the forest: watching the animals that live in and under his branches, smelling the fresh scent of the moss at his roots, and feeling the cool, refreshing rain...

With a simple narrative combining the dream-world and the natural world, one that reinforces the importance of imagination, and highlights the enchantment to be found in the forest, Gus Is a Tree is a real pleasure. I liked that basic vocabulary is capitalized in the text, and defined at the end. Olivier Tallec, whose illustrations - from Big Wolf and Little Wolf to Thumbelina of Toulaba - are always excellent, delivers a gorgeous impressionistic landscape here, with vivid autumnal colors. All in all, an excellent little book, ideal for imaginative young nature-lovers!… (mehr)