This Is A Poem That Heals Fish is a rare little miracle of a book. It manages the brilliant trick of explaining the abstract concept of a "poem" to a child through the simple but effective art of demonstration. The book itself is a perfectly constructed poem. I say this as someone with some experience with poetry as an editor and screening judge for the National Poetry Series for nearly a decade. I can't tell you how many times I've watched a poet crash and burn attempting to define a poem with a poem. Too often it results in a disappointing tautology (there's a word for the little ones!). A poem is by nature slippery (like a fish), but this book succeeds with its perfect little slipknot metaphors that manage to delight and define at the same time. Perhaps it's best to leave it to the baker to explain: "[a poem] is hot like fresh bread. When you eat it a little is always left over."
The book is painted in a beautiful palette with a bold brushwork and delicate penciled details, alternating between folksy domestic scenes and lovely surreal dreamscapes. It's a great looking book.
This Is A Poem That Heals Fish by Jean-Pierre Simeon and illustrated by Olivier Tallec was originally published in France. This translation was published by Enchanted Lion Books. Enchanted Lion Books (of Brooklyn!) has been bringing some excellent European and Asian picture books to the U.S. in translation in recent years. You can expect to see some more posts on Posterband soon from this exciting publisher.
Check out This is a Poem That Will Heal Fish (a.k.a This is a Book Your Child Will Love).
