From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. Born out of a question posed to Sís (Play, Mozart, Play!) by his children (Are you a settler, Dad?), the author pairs his remarkable artistry with journal entries, historical context and period photography to create a powerful account of his childhood in Cold War–era Prague. Dense, finely crosshatched black-and-white drawings of parades and red-flagged houses bear stark captions: Public displays of loyalty—compulsory. Children are encouraged to report on their families and fellow students. Parents learn to keep their opinions to themselves. Text along the bottom margin reveals young Sís's own experience: He didn't question what he was being told. Then he found out there were things he wasn't told. The secret police, with tidy suits and pig faces, intrude into every drawing, watching and listening. As Sís grows to manhood, Eastern Europe discovers the Beatles, and the Prague Spring of 1968 promises liberation and freedom. Instead, Soviet tanks roll in, returning the city to its previous restrictive climate. Sís rebels when possible, and in the book's final spreads, depicts himself in a bicycle, born aloft by wings made from his artwork, flying toward America and freedom, as the Berlin Wall crumbles below. Although some of Sís's other books have their source in his family's history, this one gives the adage write what you know biting significance. Younger readers have not yet had a graphic memoir with the power of Maus or Persepolis to call their own, but they do now. Ages 8-up. (Aug.)
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*Starred Review* In an autobiographical picture book that will remind many readers of Marjane Satrapi's memoir Persepolis (2003), Sís' latest, a powerful combination of graphic novel and picture book, is an account of his growing up in Czechoslovakia under Soviet rule. Written in several stands, the somewhat fragmented narrative never dilutes the impact of the boldly composed panels depicting scenes from Sís' infancy through young adulthood. Throughout, terrific design dramatizes the conflict between conformity and creative freedom, often through sparing use of color; in many cases, the dominant palette of black, white, and Communist red threatens to swallow up young Peter's freely doodled, riotously colored artwork. The panels heighten the emotional impact, as when Sís fleeing the secret police, emerges from one spread's claustrophobic, gridlike sequence into a borderless, double-page escape fantasy. Even as they side with Peter against fearsome forces beyond his control, younger readers may lose interest as the story moves past his childhood, and most will lack crucial historical context. But this will certainly grab teenswho will grasp both the history and the passionate, youthful rebellions against authorityas well as adults, many of whom will respond to the Cold War setting. Though the term picture book for older readers has been bandied about quite a bit, this memorable title is a true example. Mattson, Jennifer
Review
“The ecstatic energy and big-spirited inventiveness of the artist's drawings make the once all but unimaginable realization of that dream visible for all to see.” ―The New York Times Book Review
“Sís' most ambitious and personal book.” ―USA TODAY
“A sophisticated and sobering picture book exposé.” ―The San Francisco Chronicle
“The Wall makes for irresistible reading.” ―Washington Post Book World
“Mr. Sís's account belongs as much in the living room as it does in the nursery.” ―The Wall Street Journal
“Peter Sís [is a] master of the not-necessarily-for-children picture book.” ―The Los Angeles Times Book Review
“Peter Sís's The Wall... may be his finest book to date - no small feat.” ―The Boston Globe
“Glorious artwork.” ―Elle
“Will both engross and haunt his audience.” ―Starred, The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“Complex, multifaceted, rich in detail . . . [Sís's] concluding visions of freedom are both poignant and exhilarating.” ―Starred, School Library Journal
“A masterpiece for readers young and old.” ―Starred, Kirkus Reviews
“Younger readers have not yet had a graphic memoir with the power of Maus or Persepolis to call their own, but they do now.” ―Starred, Publishers Weekly
“The deployment of media choices and color throughout the book is both expert and telling: bold, stark black marker for an invading Soviet tank, dreamy blue crayon for the night the Beach Boys played Prague . . . a comprehensive portrait of an era, an artist, and the persistence of the latter in the face of the former.” ―Starred, The Horn Book
“A powerful combination of graphic novel and picture book . . . Terrific design dramatizes the conflict between conformity and creative freedom.” ―Starred, Booklist
“Simply and effectively illustrates the history of Czechoslovakia's struggle with totalitarianism and evokes the dreams of his repressed people.” ―VOYA
“This stunning book is a MUST for anybody who is curious to learn about the world we live in!” ―Milos Forman, Oscar winning-director of Amadeus, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
“Peter Sís's book is most of all about the will to live one's life in freedom and should be required reading for all those who take their freedom for granted.” ―Václav Havel, former president of the Czech Republic
“Peter Sís, who has entranced children and adults with his magical stories and drawings, has taken his talent to a new level. Peter, born to dream and draw, is now also teaching the tragic history of his native Czechoslovakia under communism in this beautiful, poignant, and important work for those of all ages. ” ―Madeleine Albright, former U.S. Secretary of State
“This extraordinary achievement is a powerful reminder of the hard-won freedoms that drew so many to this country's shores.” ―Shelf Awareness
About the Author
Peter Sís is an internationally acclaimed illustrator, author, and filmmaker. He was born in Brno, Czechoslovakia, and attended the Academy of Applied Arts in Prague and the Royal College of Art in London. Peter is a seven-time winner of The New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year, a two-time Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honoree, and has won the Society of Illustrators Gold Medal twice. Peter's books, Starry Messenger: Galileo Galilei, Tibet through the Red Box, and The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain were all named Caldecott Honor books by the American Library Association. The Wall was also awarded the Robert F. Sibert Medal.
In addition, Peter Sís is the first children’s book illustrator to win the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship. He was chosen to deliver the 2012 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture for the Association for Library Service to Children. Peter won the 2012 Hans Christian Andersen Award. This award is considered the most prestigious in international children's literature, given biennially by the International Board on Books for Young People.
Peter Sís lives in the New York City area with his wife and children.
