review
A picture book for children from about five years old about a boy who is blind. Matthijs cannot see, but he can do other things very well, such as smelling, feeling, tasting and hearing. You can purchase the book for about fourteen euros. The text was written by Gilles Tibo, the illustrations were made by Zaü.
Content article
- About the writer, Gilles Tibo
- About the illustrator, Zaü
- Details of the book
- The story With different eyes
- Extra information
- The text and illustrations
- An excerpt from the book
- My opinion
About the writer, Gilles Tibo
Born in 1951, he discovered at a young age his passion for drawing (and reading) comics such as Tintin and Asterix. The impetus for a career as an illustrator was the enthusiasm of classmates after he distributed a mini-trip in his class at the age of fifteen. Gilles Tibo has written and illustrated more than seventy children’s books. He has also made many posters and screen prints for theater and cultural events. The author lives in Montreal.
About the illustrator, Zaü
His real name is either Zaü Langevin or Andre Langevin, I came across both names on the internet. He is a French artist, born April 25, 1943 in Rennes. Zaü has illustrated many books for young people. Attention and respect for other people are of paramount importance at the illustrator. He gets his inspiration from his travels.
Details of the book
- Title: With different eyes
- Original title: Les yeux noirs
- Text: Gilles Tibo
- Translated from the French by: Ineke Ris
- Illustrations: Zaü
- Publisher: De Vier Windreken
- Published: 2005
- Genre: children’s book, picture book
- Number of pages: 28
- ISBN: 90 5579 793 6
- Suitable for: children from five / six years old
The story With different eyes
The little boy Matthijs was born blind, he is never afraid of the dark, it is always dark for him. He cannot see, but he can hear, feel, smell and taste very well. When he wakes up in the morning, he can’t see the weather, but he can hear it. In warm weather he hears the birds singing, the air feels warm and he smells the scent of flowers. In his head / brain he has a map of the house where he lives with his parents, so he knows exactly where everything is. Matthijs feels that his father has shaved and he smells that his mother has used a new soap. His parents tell him to wait another four days for his surprise. Matthijs thinks about it all day, but he also has to work hard at school, he learns Braille. The Braille letters consist of bumps on paper, he reads the letters with his fingertips. On Saturday it is finally time for the surprise. Matthijs may choose a young dog. He cannot see the puppies, but he still chooses the most beautiful: the softest and happiest dog.
Extra information
At the back of the book, after the story, you will find additional information. The text of the book is also available in Braille, as spoken word and in large print. Explanation of the important role of the computer in the life of a visually impaired or blind person. Further information on Braille and there is one piece of paper pasted into the book with braille signs.
The text and illustrations
- On the front you see Matthijs, a boy with striking red curls and jet black eyes. Title (With different eyes) and image do not immediately clarify what the story will be about, but the text on the back of the book does. The beautiful chalk drawings in the book all cover a double page, warm colors have been used. What you read in the text is beautifully depicted in the drawings. The things that Matthijs sees in his mind, such as the birds he thinks of while playing outside, are also reflected in the drawing that accompanies this text.
- Each illustration is accompanied by text, about six / seven sentences at a time. Gilles Tibo has opted for short, powerful sentences. Sometimes difficult words for children of five / six years, but it is nice to explain them such as: eyes as black as coal, floor plan, Braille, hinges. The story is written in the I form.
An excerpt from the book
I wake up. I press my teddy bear close to me.
His heart is ticking ?? tap ?? He opens one eye and sleepily
says, yawning, “The weather is fine. The light shines through the
curtains back. All your toys shine in the sun “.
I know that. I know that, because the birds are lustily
to sing. Because the air is already getting warm. And because
the scent of flowers drifts into my room. And that happens
always when the weather is nice.
I get out of bed. A secret drawer opens in my
brains. In it I keep a map of our house.
That way I know exactly where everything is.
My opinion
This book explains in a beautiful and good way what someone who is blind cannot do, but the emphasis is placed on what someone can do. Matthijs cannot see, but he can hear, feel, smell and taste very well. He tells how he knows in the morning that the weather is nice, he hears the birds, feels the warm air and smells flowers. His teddy bear can talk and tells him that the light shines through the curtains and that his toys glisten in the sun, but Matthijs can therefore notice it in a different way when it gets a warm day. The story has a nice structure. After explaining what the blindness has on the life of Matthijs, there is also talk about Braille, the story ends with a very nice event. Matthijs may choose a dog, he cannot see the puppies, but he chooses the softest, happiest dog. He cannot see with his eyes, but with ‘different eyes’. The story is followed by information about Braille, and a piece of paper with Braille characters has been placed in the book. This way a child can experience how this feels. I think this book is a must!