Jack Foreman, illustrated by Michael Foreman,
Say Hello
Walker Books/Candlewick Press, 2009.

Ages 3-7

“Left out.” The first words of Say Hello sit alone on a page that feels as empty as the world does when we are lonely. A single blue crayon line runs horizontally across the page above a solitary dog, separated even from the two words of text in the opposite corner.  From the first spread onward, father-son pair Michael and Jack Foreman gracefully integrates text image and meaning in this poignant book about loneliness, empathy, and our ability to care for each other.

Under the skilled fingers of illustrator Michael Foreman, the horizontal line becomes the silhouette of an empty life, distant buildings, a happy home, trees and even clouds, the story taking shape alongside the line. A solitary dog wanders in search of a friend. He watches a child and cat play. He takes an inquisitive sniff through garbage. Nothing offers the friends he seeks.  A group of children playing ball, though – now that offers promise! Happily, he joins the game, having so much fun that he doesn’t see the sad boy drooping nearby. Alone. Despairing. Left out. But when the dog spots him and leaves the fun to draw the boy into the group, we remember, “When someone’s feeling left out, low, / It doesn’t take much to say …Hello!”

This is not the Michael Foreman of exuberant, rambunctious color we so well know. Soft, spare charcoal and pastel drawings superbly reinforce the weight of loneliness the minimal text perfectly captures. “Left out, no fun. / Why am I the only one?” Loneliness is universal, the desire for love and friendship a sign of our humanity. Author Jack Foreman wrote the poem that inspired his text after facing bullies when he was ten years old, but it shows all the skill of adulthood. He parses all unnecessary words so that each piece of text sinks into the subconscious with the weight of the child’s sad, dragging feet. The duo’s deep understanding of space, composition and the power of the phrase “less is more” tactilely reinforces the final take-away: sometimes the smallest gesture makes the biggest impact.

Sara Hudson
October 2011

Why Can’t I Play? A story about making friends by Elizabeth Hawkins and illustrated by Bill Bolton (Tamarind Books, 2010) starts off with plenty of reasons that young listeners will pick up on straight away as to why the children at the sandpit shouldn’t let Becca “the new girl” play with them. She blocks tunnels, spoils drawings in the sand and knocks down castles. When Thomas and the other children tell her to go away, she retaliates with the dreadful crocodiles and high prison tower etc. that she has for people like them at her house.

A few days later, Becca’s mother hands out Becca’s birthday invitations. The parents are glad to accept on behalf of their children, so they reluctantly go, worried about the terrors awaiting them at Becca’s house. Of course the parallel scenarios, such as the castellated treehouse, all turn out to be great fun and Becca herself is a fun playmate. Becca’s birthday wish, when she blows out her candles, is very telling: “I wish I could play with you in the park.” and the next day she does indeed ask to play with the other children. “Of course,” said Thomas, “You only had to ask!”

But did she? Why Can’t I Play? really is an excellent story about making friends, with universal appeal for young children, and this is emphasised by the inclusive diversity of the illustrations. The story shows how the hand of friendship has to be stretched from both sides. Becca’s behavior is inexcusable and will probably set young listeners against her – but by the time we get to the end, they might have realised that her meanness is also a result of her insecurity as a “new girl” (and we only find out her name when her mother hands out the party invitations – I suspect, like the other children in the story). So, while Becca is not exactly helping herself by being horrid to the other children, the story also reminds children of the importance of being welcoming towards newcomers, whether it’s at their local park or in their class at school.

And don’t forget, our current issue of PaperTigers is all about How Children Play Around the World, so if you haven’t already, head on over…