ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Though Greder's books are sold as children's books, they are stark and confronting fables best kept for much older readers, particularly those interested in the radical power of illustration to tell unpalatable truths… An old industrialist tells his sons to respect his legacy, and after his death they discuss how to expand the corporation. Then their sister returns from travelling the world, and tells them perhaps they should think differently - the world is polluted, people are dying from the industrial waste, the lands and oceans are despoiled - will they listen? A bleak tale of warning, with a particularly poignant final illustration - another brilliant book from this uncompromising award-winning author/illustrator. Lindy
'All this will soon be yours, respect what I have built and make it prosper.' These are the last words of the old industrialist before dying. While the three brothers discuss how to fulfil their father's wishes, the sister lists for them the disastrous consequences that would follow: disease; marine pollution; deforestation; the destruction of the landscape; pollution of skies and rivers...
Armin Greder was born in Switzerland. In 1971 he migrated to Australia where he worked as a graphic designer and later taught design and illustration at a tertiary art institution. Books he has illustrated include 2016 CBCA Picture Book of the Year, Flight, with Nadia Wheatley, and The Great Bear, An Ordinary Day and I Am Thomas, all written by Libby Gleeson. Books he has authored and illustrated include The Mediterranean, The Island, The City, Australia to Z and Diamonds. His work, in which charcoal is prominent, reflects his European background. He is the recipient of a number of international recognitions such as the Bologna Ragazzi Award and has been nominated for the Hans Christian Andersen Prize. He now lives in Lima, Peru, together with his companion Victoria.
ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Though Greder's books are sold as children's books, they are stark and confronting fables best kept for much older readers, particularly those interested in the radical power of illustration to tell unpalatable truths… An old industrialist tells his sons to respect his legacy, and after his death they discuss how to expand the corporation. Then their sister returns from travelling the world, and tells them perhaps they should think differently - the world is polluted, people are dying from the industrial waste, the lands and oceans are despoiled - will they listen? A bleak tale of warning, with a particularly poignant final illustration - another brilliant book from this uncompromising award-winning author/illustrator. Lindy
"""This accessible yet heartbreaking story deserves to be read and discussed by readers of many different ages."" --School Library Journal on The Mediterranean ""A chilling and thought-provoking book about human, political, and economic aspects of the refugee crisis in a medium that makes it accessible to a wide array of audiences."" Kirkus Reviews on The Mediterranean ""Definitely a book to engage with students and with your own mind on issues today and stop our complacency in our Western world."" --Book Monitor"