Customer Reviews

The Squishiness of Things

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It's hard to figure out what's best about The Squishiness of Things. Is it the misty, dreamy paintings just creepy enough to keep kids staring long after it's time to turn the page? Or the wry innocence of the characters and their oblivion to their circumstances? Actually, I love the borders of the illustrations: intricate scarabs, grimacing faces, hourglasses. Some of the two-tone pieces are the best, especially the scene in the lab, where Hieronymus' beakers simmer and belch steam in all directions. The style of the illustrations evokes the northern European masters, but instead of seeming retro, it makes those weird old Vermeer paintings seem new - as if they are now more reflective of the human condition than they were when we first saw them projected in art history class. The big pieces are obviously brilliant, but it's the little things in this book that make each read a new experience: look for tiny bees, caterpillars, and a bug dressed like Hieronymus, the protagonist.

Then there's the theme of the story, which is, well, all any of us really need to understand about the world. In fact, forget the kids, buy this one for yourself.

My son (age 10) and I thoroughly enjoyed this book: wonderful fun-to-say names and words, and absurd situations that made us both laugh out loud. The obvious and ordinary are made mysterious and compelling so that the reader can really join in on this unusual adventure. The artwork has a rich Old World feel (plus there's a delightfully realisic bug creeping over the text on most pages -- you feel the desire to squish it -- just like the hero, Hieronymus, does). This book is fun to read outloud (a parent plus). My son especially enjoyed the napping antics of Pieter, the world's laziest assistant. If you want an intelligent, humorous and beautiful book: The Squishiness of Things (love that title!) is it.

This book is a great example of classic old school writing; a whimsical and deep respect for language, a freedom from vulgar pop cultural references, and a love of storytelling that is immediately recognizable. There are many creative details in the story that add much to the book's enjoyment. The art is also very much of a classical age as well. Kompaneyets is a highly skilled painter with an impressive attention to detail. The pictures will inspire awe and wonder in both children and adults.

In all respects this is a very finely crafted book. A book children will be able to grow up with and cherish as well as a book their parents will enjoy sharing (very important!). Buy this book today and it won't end up in a yard sale in a couple of years; how many other books in your child's library can you say that about?

What else could you want from a children's book?