The Only Child

Starred review from September 28, 2015
In an author’s note, newcomer Guojing explains that this wordless graphic novel grew out of memories of “isolation and loneliness,” growing up under China’s one-child policy. The Only Child of her story is an adorable dumpling in overalls who discovers herself alone on a bus after falling asleep. She sets off to find her grandmother’s house and is approached in a wintry forest by a stag, who flies with her into a realm beyond the clouds. There they discover an irresistible creature—part baby seal, part polar bear cub—and the three share a marvelous adventure until the animal’s parent comes to fetch it and the child is left alone again. She is never deserted by the loyal stag, though, who returns her safely to her own world. The low-key, all-gray charcoal palette carries whiffs of winter chill and poverty, but the physical sensations Guojing suggests visually—the fluffy softness of the clouds, the warmth of the stag’s closeness—provide the comfort of a soft quilt. Fine draftsmanship, deft pacing, and striking imaginative power distinguish this debut. Ages 5–9. Agent: Isabel Atherton, Creative Authors.

August 1, 2015

Gr 1-4-A tender picture book with graphic novel elements about a young girl's escape from loneliness through her imagination. Left home alone one day, a cherubic toddler-size child quickly becomes bored and decides to visit her grandmother. Dressing for the snowy day, she boards a city bus with good intentions. However, she eventually grows drowsy, falls asleep, and doesn't wake up until the bus is at its last stop. This is where the story gets magical. The last stop is at the edge of a strange wooded area filled with magical creatures. Much like Lewis Caroll's Alice, the girl wanders through the woods in hopes of eventually finding her way back home. Although this is a wordless picture book, there is no lack of story. Illustrated with pencil in softly shaded tones of gray and white, the girl's subtle expressions are captured simply but acutely. The style is cartoony; however, the black-and-white palette gives it a sophisticated tone. With the exception of several dramatic spreads, most pages are organized into graphic novel-style panels. The apparent age of the protagonist may deter some older readers. Luckily, the heartwarming and enchanting story, paired with such beautiful artwork is reason enough to purchase this title. VERDICT Part picture book, part graphic novel, this book is a solid addition that will spark discussion and inspire budding artists.-Jaclyn Anderson, Madison County Library System, MS

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from November 15, 2015
Grades K-3 *Starred Review* Guojing grew up under China's one-child policy among a very lonely generation of children, and that sense of loneliness beautifully suffuses her spare, wordless debut. A chubby-cheeked, slightly cartoonish little girl entertains herself at home alone after her parents leave for work, but soon toys and TV can't keep her from feeling lonesome, so she intrepidly decides to take the bus to her grandma's house. Guojing's sepia-toned panels illustrate the stark beauty of the snowy streets the girl walks down: they're packed with people, while smokestacks loom in the background behind electrical lines stretched overhead. The city scenes are a sharp contrast to the dim, quiet wood where the little girl ends upshe's fallen asleep on the bus and misses her stop. Alone again and far from her grandma's, she sits down and weeps, but emerging from between the trees is a majestic reindeer, who escorts her on a dreamy adventure in the clouds before bringing her back home to her worried family. Each arresting, softly penciled panel is surprisingly luminous in spite of its monochromatic palette, and in those gentle scenes, Guojing evokes a wide range of feeling, especially the lonesomeness of the little girl, who never quite seems at ease alone. Reminiscent of Raymond Briggs' classic, The Snowman (1978), this is quiet, moving, playful, and bittersweet all at once.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)