Changes

When I first read the book I wondered if young children would understand both the book’s message and in fact some of the vocabulary. Also the pictures, although stunning, do not at first glance appear especially ''child-friendly''. It was interesting to watch the six year old children I shared this book with, for as I read the story they were completely engrossed in the pictures themselves. This, I suppose, is the strength of a really good picture book – so much of the story is conveyed in the illustrations. After I finished they wanted to talk about Marcel and his other ''owners''. Reading this book provides the opportunity to talk about whether any of us really own anything, man’s attitude to wild animals and, of course, the friendship between a child and a much loved pet. Over several readings this book has really grown on me and I think that it would do the same for young readers too.