Colorful Valentine

2021 Bologna International Illustrators Exhibition Annual Winning Works
Created by the grand prize-winning illustrator and writer team
Dedicated to all who are different and proud of it
May we all be colorful
May the world be as colorful as it was meant to be
◎ Editor's Recommendation
☆ A moving story by an award-winning author, conveying gender equality education and reflecting on stereotypes
Is it strange for a boy to like bright colors and pretty clothes? Must boys be good at soccer and accustomed to roughhousing? Valentin's hobbies and sensitive, elegant qualities are not shocking subversions, so why is he ridiculed by his friends and even feels out of place? Let this story tear open a small corner for you to see and reflect on the invisible prejudices of "xxx should be like this" in life.
The words of Chiara Mezzalama, winner of the Strega Prize, are poetic, bittersweet, subtle yet profound, full of metaphors and philosophical insights, with a powerful impact hidden in their simplicity.
☆ Illuminating the darkest moments everyone may face, building self and refuge in what one loves
No one can perfectly conform to external opinions and others' expectations. Everyone will have a "darkest moment of not knowing how to be oneself because of being different from others." At this time, will you doubt yourself, deny yourself, or even awkwardly change yourself? Let us see from Valentin that "different" does not mean "wrong." The more you accept and embrace yourself, and bravely do what you love, the more you can find a refuge to weather the storm, and the more you can overcome difficulties and face the world in your own way.
☆ Three perspectives to immerse in the story, becoming friends who understand and embrace differences, and parents who provide strong support with love
In addition to following Valentin's main perspective, readers can also empathize with Valentin's friends in the story and consider "Why is Valentin sad because of me?" and "How should I treat friends whose hobbies or personalities are different from mine?" This cultivates empathy and sensitivity, helping to understand that sometimes even without ill intent, one can hurt others, and learn to respect and tolerate others' differences in a gentler, friendlier way.
Behind the overt line of Valentin's psychological changes, the author and illustrator cleverly embed an important underlying theme throughout the book – the consistent understanding and support of parents, thus inspiring readers: before hoping for a child to be strong inside, one must first provide strong support with love and understanding.
☆ Bologna Illustrators Exhibition annual winning work, with unforgettable emotional tension in the illustrations
BIB Award nominee Reza Dalvand boldly uses rich colors like red, green, and black, keenly capturing and presenting subtle emotional changes such as tension, anger, loneliness, and sadness; at the same time, echoing Valentin's love for sewing, a large number of detailed fabric and floral elements are incorporated. Each illustration is a poster full of artistic tension, bringing an unforgettable aesthetic experience.
◎ Content Summary
This is a story that promotes gender equality education and reflects on social stereotypes
This is a story that encourages children to embrace their uniqueness and dare to be themselves
This is a story that guides children to respect others' differences and enhance empathy
This is a story that inspires parents to become a strong support for their children with love and understanding
Valentin seems a little different
Not good at running or playing soccer
Loves to sew pretty clothes
—Can the cracks in friendship and scars in the heart
also be mended like fabric?
◎ Media Recommendations
Valentin, ridiculed for his different hobbies, eventually finds refuge in what he loves. This story will be a great inspiration for readers who want to know how to build themselves and their lives. We love the colorful and flowery world of Valentin, and the winding threads symbolizing the complex path he has traveled – it is very meaningful that the bridge leading to Valentin's future life on the last page is straight.
—French media Culture Kids
The entire work provides an excellent education on human equality and a celebration of human diversity. The cover also seems to convey the hope that everyone will have the courage to be a cowboy who controls their own life.
—French media Ricochet Jeunes
This book offers ways of thinking rather than solutions. Its open ending allows every child to expand the story as they wish, and it can also be a topic for discussion in classes or families.
—French media Littérature Enfantine
◎ Reader Reviews
This picture book deals with the issue of "difference" in a subtle and poetic way, encouraging readers to be themselves and be proud of their uniqueness. Boys have the right to like sewing and not just playing soccer; everyone has the right to free themselves from the dictates of social stereotypes. The message conveyed is strong, but without being preachy.
—French book review site Babelio reader Kimysmile
This is a work about self-acceptance, embracing others, and breaking gender biases, while also touching upon the issue of bullying in schools and life, which is thought-provoking.
—French book review site Babelio reader PetiteNoisette

The setting where Valentin protects himself by sewing clothes is ingenious and profound. Fabric is complex, and the many choices made during the sewing process will affect its final appearance – isn't a child the same? Similarly made up of various personalized fabrics, crooked threads from interacting with others, and methods of mending when dealing with problems.
—French book review site Leslibraires reader Mirontaine

2022-08-01

上海人民美术出版社

the new wave

32

9787558623509