Rating: ***** 5 stars

Laurie Krebs, illustrated by Helen Cann,
We're Riding on a Caravan: An Adventure on the Silk Road.
Barefoot Books, 2005.

5-8 Infant/Junior

This well researched and enchantingly presented picture book invites young readers to join a 'caravan' for an historic journey along the ancient trade route known as China's Silk Road.  Rhyming couplets drive the story on and an undulating text along the foot of the page reminds us of the jolts and starts a bumpy road delivers.

Double spreads depict the long train of people, animals and carts that form the caravan as it makes its year-long journey across many different landscapes with its precious cargo.  The illustration, which use watercolour, graphite and collage to great effect, do much more than contribute to the telling of the story: they show children the buildings, plants, terrain and costumes of the people of the time.  The visual detail helps children towards an understanding of a lifestyle that demanded sturdy footwear and clothing, easily rolled up bedding and transportable cooking and serving vessels.  Hardships for adults and children during the long winter in the desert are not hidden as families huddle over goat-head soup.

An interesting, crystal clear map of the route and endnotes which tell the story of silk, the history of the Silk Road and inform about places along the trade route, make this book far from superficial.  With its bright pictures and energetic text, both based on historical evidence, it is likely to nourish young imaginations.  Its generous format, hard back and tactile paper cover make it one of those quality print books that I hope and believe will continue to prosper even in an electronic age.

Margaret Mallett
November 2005, No. 155