Humor, aesthetics and current events. These are the three lines that want to define the new publishing label that the Anaya publishing house has launched, to give visibility and value books that they consider special and that “have captivated us by addressing current issues that challenge us as a society, for its particular sense of humor and for its literary and aesthetic quality,” say its promoters. Petaletras is the name by which it is made known and in its first proposals it brings us topics such as sexuality, mental health, equality or ecology. The illustrations have a very important weight and they rely on artists from all latitudes. Below we review some of the first titles, which come to us from the neighboring country.
With the illustrator Mathilde Baudy and the professional midwife Tiphaine Dieumegard, The Little Atlas of Intimacy (from 7-8 years old) begins, an excellent, lovingly illustrated educational proposal that delves into the details of the penis and the penis for the little ones. vulva. Simple, clear, explanatory and with some interesting telephone numbers to turn to for support for children. In addition to the purely anatomical aspects, both books also give some accurate insight into issues of gender, sexuality, reproduction and consent. Also in Catalan.
Also from France, Janik Coat, comes HipopOpuestos (for ages 3 and up), a fun and minimalist way to review concepts with the little ones in the house, with the help of a huge red hippopotamus. Small or large, absent or present, free or enclosed, face or profile... The hippopotamus stars on all the pages in many different ways, some even surprising. Also in Catalan.
The thing is, I came across…, by Agnès de Lestrade and João Vaz de Carvalho (from 4 years old) could be a book that each and every child in this world would sign. Phrases that begin with “it's just that…” are a constant in children, which generally give way to a string of excuses, often seasoned with great imagination. The protagonist of this story does not fall short, and arrives late for the appointment with his father. But he has encountered such interesting and unpredictable things along the way that no one would have been entertained. We the first.
Finally Baptiste Beaulieu, family doctor and writer (especially essays for adults) brings us the story of Papou, the retired doctor grandfather of the protagonist of People Are Beautiful, a story about the stories that bodies tell us if we know how to look at them carefully. and without prejudices. Grandfather and grandson go for a walk and along the way they come across the best tiler in France, today with his body very bent from so many years on the floor, or Lionel, a waiter who has just become a father and sleeps little, so His lack of sleep places him in sometimes difficult and unfair situations with clients. A parade of characters not always well treated by society due to their appearance but with a lot to contribute to this book with which Qin Leng beautifully takes us to the streets of Paris (for ages 7-8 and up).
