青少年小說
更新日期:
2022-08-18
The Boy, the Cloud, and the Very Tall Tale
Heather Smith
Orca Book Publishers
Fall 2023
250 pp
書籍編號:
10-1893
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● 內文簡介

★獲《書目》、《柯克斯書評》、《學校圖書館學報》、《加拿大評論》連連盛讚!
★加拿大溫特塞特獎、道明加拿大信託兒童文學獎得主Heather Smith最新動人力作

一間看似平凡的裁縫店裡,隱藏著一個溫暖、奇異、得以改變人生的祕密抽屜。

當11歲的男孩伊文(Ewan)隨著妹妹芙洛拉(Flora)和爺爺來到一家裁縫用品店,他們期望的,不過只是一家平凡無奇,擺著各式鈕扣、針線的店面。但取而代之的,他們遇上的是一位古怪的「某某先生」(Mr. So-and-So),以及一場始料未及的人生冒險。

正當爺爺瀏覽著店內的擺設,某某先生邀請伊文和芙洛拉來到店內的秘密基地,奇怪的是,這裡的商品似乎和縫紉無關,反而和「生命」有關。每一層抽屜裡都躺著一張薄薄的紙,上方各自寫著一個個獨特,甚至有些幽默的想法,有時則是一幅景象,或一個印象。

其中某一張紙吸引了伊文的注意,接著向來有些膽小害羞的他隨著這張紙,出發前往一場將改變他一生的旅行——也就是尋找他兩年前消失的父親。他將探索父親離去的秘密,見證自己波動的情緒,以及最重要的,開始學會冒險的成長。伊文將在某某先生和芙洛拉的陪伴下,理解即便是大人,也有難以消化自己情緒的時候,而向他人展現同理心,也是我們能開始對自己寬容、溫柔的契機。

這部作品充滿魔法、生命與溫情,隨著至親的陪伴與旅途上的坦誠,伊文將探索他內心最脆弱柔軟的一角。

 

● 作者簡介

Heather Smith,得獎童書作家。她有一系列得獎兒童/青少年小說,如都柏林文學獎初選作品《Barry Squires, Full Tilt》、榮獲道明加拿大信託兒童文學獎的詩歌小說《Ebb&Flow》等等。Smith的作品也已授權至加、義、西、韓、台等超過10個國家。目前她與丈夫及三個孩子定居安大略省的滑鐵盧。

 

● 媒體報導

“Wonderfully whimsical and positively poignant, Ewan’s journey to find his father and his own strength propels him across a colorful 1920s Newfoundland landscape populated with imaginative characters…Compassionately explores how grief affects children and adults alike and how to forgive the perfectly imperfect people who love us. Acclaimed author Smith delivers a rollicking, dreamlike adventure full of humor and healing.” –⭐Starred Review, Booklist

“Reminiscent of Richard Kennedy and Kate DiCamillo in its mixture of strong, somewhat eccentric fantasy elements and confrontation of sorrow...Complex and memorable.” –Kirkus Reviews

“Ewan sets off on a journey up the coast in search of his wayward father, taking along his grumpy cat Kipper, Flora, and Mr. So-and-So, purveyor of notions...With a mixture of fantasy and mystery, touches of humor, and heartwarming love, Smith has woven themes of strength and resilience into a powerful story that will stay with readers.” –School Library Journal

“Readers will enjoy the author’s wonderful use of vocabulary as well as her blend of humour, anguish, and action in this delightful tale. Highly recommended.” –CM: Canadian Review of Materials, Highly Recommended