Logo New Dutch Writing

Books

Coppernickel Goes Mondrian

Coppernickel Goes Mondrian

Coppernickel Goes Mondrian by Wouter van Reek
(Enchanted Lion Books, 2012, 40 pages)

Mr. Quickstep, accompanied by his dog Foxtrot, is looking for the future. On the way, they meet up with Coppernickel and his dog Tungsten. Coppernickel says there's no need to look for the future, as it will arrive anyway. Mr. Quickstep disagrees, for the future he's after hasn't even been thought of yet. Left behind, Coppernickel worries that he will miss out if he doesn't follow Mr. Quickstep, so he sets off to follow him. Naturally, Coppernickel and Mr. Quickstep bump into each other again, which allows Mr. Quickstep to fling open the door to the future by showing Coppernickel his last, most modern work.

What stands out here is how Mr. Quickstep's attempt to find an abstract essence in the very stuff of reality is woven right into the illustrations of this graphically distinguished work, giving children the sense that the future is theirs to create as they see it. Dreams can become reality, and in the process we too will be transformed.

Tags

children's books