By Arnold Zable & Anita Lester
Reviewed by Mia Macrossan
The book was inspired by a chance meeting in Venice and speaks to one of Arnold’s core beliefs, that in the face of dislocation and change, children have a need for a sense of belonging. Zable’s works include Cafe Scheherazade, Scraps of Heaven, Violin Lessons and The Fighter, which was shortlisted for a Victorian Premier’s Literary Award and a New South Wales Premier’s Literary Award. Anita Lester is a multidisciplinary artist from Melbourne who is a musician and an award winning painter, film maker, poet and illustrator.
Each morning on her way to school Claudia passes the glassblower’s workshop and admires the animals in the window, especially the winged horses. One day the glassblower calls Claudia inside and gives her a damaged horse. It is beautiful, but its wings are broken. And Claudia sees only its imperfection. When a terrible storm floods their home, Claudia and her family have to leave. The glass horse is packed away, all but forgotten. Until one night it comes to life and takes Claudia away on a magical adventure back to her beloved Venice.
The opening spread of this story is a total delight. Here is an idealised Venice, unclogged by tourists. There are bridges over the canal, there’s a gondola, people on balconies, walking on the steps, playing in the campo, and more. In the centre is Claudia, long hair flying on her way to her favourite shop. Each page is a paean to Venice. My favourite spread is where Claudia imagines all the glass animals coming to life, (a hint of what is to come), and cavorting all over Venice. A child will have lots of fun recognising all the different animals.
Anita has used a warm colour palette with rich browns, umber, red and gold throughout. She is adept at including telling details – the glassblower’s toothy smile, the Italian food on the table, is that Vivaldi talking to the giraffe? – all of which encourage taking time to enjoy and explore each image. This is a slightly longer story than usual these days, but it flows along at a gentle pace complemented by the expressive illustrations. Its themes of home, imagination, magic, and hope are subtly delivered and further explored in the excellent teaching notes.
Children need to learn how to inhabit their world, both the real and imaginary ones. This book provides a wonderful opportunity to do both.
