Australian artist and illustrator Jeannie Baker presents another visually stunning picture book with her latest publication Mirror (Walker Books, 2010). Through beautifully detailed collage illustrations and a clever design, Mirror tells the story of two boys from opposite sides of the world, highlighting the similarities and differences in their everyday routines.
Mirror by Jeannie Baker
Presented in a foldout format that allows both stories to be viewed simultaneously, Mirror follows two young boys as they enjoy a routine day. One boy lives in Sydney, Australia while the second lives in Morocco in North Africa.
The young Australian boy lives with his parents and baby brother/sister. His day begins with a cuddle with mum and breakfast then he joins his father for a trip to a local hardware store where they buy supplies for some renovation work being done at home.
For the young boy from Morocco, the day begins before dawn with prayer, homemade breakfast and family time together with his parents, baby brother/sister and grandparents. He then joins his father for a donkey ride through rocky valleys to the marketplace, where they sell a handmade rug and purchase items for their home.
For both boys, the day concludes back at home with their family, gathered again for a meal. Mirror is text free, with the story of both boys conveyed entirely through the detailed illustrations.
Comparing Eastern and Western Family Life
Through both content and design, Mirror offers readers both an incredible visual experience and a thoughtful comparison of life in Australia and Morocco.
There are numerous parallels and contrasts between the lives of the two boys offered by the illustrations with the fold-out format allowing an easy comparison of family life, clothing, mealtimes, shopping and community aspects of the boys’ lives. There is also a more general comparison of the differences between the landscape and general appearance of the Sydney suburbs and Moroccan village environment.
Baker aims to show that despite the differences in culture, environment and lifestyle, there are still a remarkable number of similarities in the lives of the two boys. In addition to these similarities, there is an connection between the families via a beautiful handmade rug made by the Moroccan family and purchased by the Australian family for their home.
Baker’s exquisitely detailed collage artworks offer readers an interesting visual experience without the distraction of text. There are a number of reflections or symmetries within the illustrations that will be observed by older or more discerning readers while younger readers will simply delight in the images of Australian and Moroccan life.
Jeannie Baker - Australian Artist, Author and Illustrator
Award-winning author and illustrator Jeannie Baker is well known for her meaningful and beautifully illustrated picture books. Her books often include strong environmental themes, ensuring that their appeal extends to older children and adults as well as the young children usually associated with picture books.
Many of the artworks used in Baker’s picture books have featured in travelling exhibitions within Australia. The artworks for Mirror are currently displayed at the Museum of Sydney and will travel to a variety of locations around Australia over the next two years. Details of exhibition dates can be found at Jeannie Baker’s website.
Baker’s previous works include Belonging, Window, The Story of Rosy Dock and Where the Forest Meets the Sea. The books have been published by a variety of publishers in different countries including Walker Books (Australia and UK), Greenwillow Books (US), Candlewick Press (US) and a variety of other publishing houses internationally.
A Book that Can be Read Over and Over
The attention to detail in Baker’s artworks ensures that readers will discover something new each time they read any of her books and Mirror in particular. The similarities and reflected details in the lives of the two boys are numerous and children and adults alike will be fascinated each time they open the pages of this beautiful book.
Baker’s books make beautiful gifts and are the kinds of books that will become treasured part of any home library. Also ideal as a classroom resource, the detailed nature of the illustrations means that the books are best enjoyed by individuals or small groups, rather than as a class group, although many of Baker’s books are available in a large page format to overcome this limitation.
Mirror is a beautiful book with an important message to share. This stunning book is sure to bring a new wave of fans for this talented artist and author and those that read and enjoy Mirror will no doubt find similar enjoyment in Jeannie Baker’s previous titles.
Review copy details:
Mirror (ISBN: 978-1-4063-0914-0)
Join the Conversation