The Most Beautiful Village in the World - My Hometown

This is a beautiful and sad story, a quiet and moving one. The theme of the story is war, yet there is not a single direct description of war scenes throughout. The author simply narrates the child's peaceful life, meticulously portraying the joys and happiness of life, using shades and light to depict the changing seasons and the passage of time. The colors shift with Yamu's emotions, and then, at the very end, on a sandy-colored background, a single line of text quietly tells us that all of it was consumed by war.
Such an ending seems somewhat cruel. However, because of war, how many people went to war and returned? How many went to war and never came back? How many beautiful villages and cities disappeared just like that? How many children like Yamu, who should have grown up happily, had to experience such terrifying and heart-wrenching events? When will homeland and home once again become "the most beautiful home in the world"? War is a cruel thing; it takes away the most precious things, destroys the most beautiful wishes. Even today, some parts of the world are still shrouded in the shadow of war. Adults have a responsibility to tell children that we should cherish life and peace. Only by planting a deep impression in children's hearts can we usher in the future full of peace and happiness that Yamu wholeheartedly yearns for.
On the back cover of the picture book, all members of little boy Yamu's family are depicted (except for his brother Harlon, who went to war): Mom holds the younger brother on the back of the donkey Bemba, Dad holds Bemba with his right hand and Yamu with his left, and Yamu holds his beloved lamb. This picture is moving and thought-provoking. Yamu's family seems to be gazing at the destroyed village, or perhaps they are wandering into a foreign land. Looking at their backs, let us silently bless them, hoping they emerge from the war and rebuild their beautiful home.
This book won the 1996 Japan Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award and the Fuji TV Award, making it an excellent picture book.

2008-10-01

二十一世纪出版社

Poplar Picture Book House

39

9787539144870