Spanish / Spain
Árboles
(Trees)
Benedetti, Mario
(text)
Zabala, Javier
(illus.)
Barcelona [et al.]: Libros del Zorro Rojo, 2012. – [24] p.
(Series: Libros de cordel)
ISBN 978-84-96509-99-3
Tree | Picture book
Reading age: 6+
White Ravens issue: 2013
Libros del Zorro Rojo presents another pearl of Spanish-language literature in the form of a picture book. It is based on a text of the famous Uruguayan author Mario Benedetti (1920-2009), which is taken from his 2008 publication “Vivir adrede” (Conscious living). In the style of a prose poem, Benedetti describes the beauty of trees, their agreeableness and modesty in a discreet, almost tender manner. Trees bear mute witness to the speechlessness that defines relations between humankind and nature. Spanish illustrator Javier Zabala has created airy, transparent pictures to accompany the text, using a mixed-media technique of ink, water colour, and paper collage. With a few lines, brush strokes, colour splotches, and abstract shapes he grows delicate, magical landscapes, which translate the subtle poetry of the text in a congenial manner.