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What Is a Child?
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From the bestselling author of A Lion in Paris comes this beautifully illustrated celebration of what makes each child unique. Through bold and sensitively observed portraits and a thought-provoking text, Beatrice Alemagna inspires children, and adults reading with them, to consider their own identity. Destined to become a classic, What Is a Child? is a must-have for every
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Hardcover, 36 pages
Published
September 20th 2016
by Tate Publishing
(first published 2008)
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Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
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Sep 15, 2018
Hilary
rated it
really liked it
Recommends it for:
Adults who enjoy thinking about childhood
Recommended to Hilary by:
Found in the library
Philosophical thoughts and moving statements about childhood. This author has really thought about what childhood feels like, the innocence, fragility, hopefulness and living for the moment. This book was happy/sad and poignant, the illustrations were wonderful and very fitting.
Children are like sponges. They soak everything in: bad moods, bad ideas, other people's fears.
This book reminded me of a Spike Milligan quote that went along the lines of-your children don't grow up but someone takes t ...more
Children are like sponges. They soak everything in: bad moods, bad ideas, other people's fears.
This book reminded me of a Spike Milligan quote that went along the lines of-your children don't grow up but someone takes t ...more
Originally published in Italian as Che cos'è un bambino?, this philosophical picture-book from author/artist Beatrice Alemagna offers a meditative examination of childhood, and the nature of the child. Each two-page spread features a description of things children do, or of how they experience the world on the one side, and a full-page illustration on the other. Occasionally, there is discussion of adults as well, either in contrast to, or in comparison with children. In the end, the narrative c
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First sentence: A child is a small person. They are only small for a little while, then they grow up. They grow without even thinking about it. Slowly and silently, their body grows taller. A child is not a child forever. One day, they change.
Premise/plot: "What is a Child?" That is the question asked and answered by author, Beatrice Alemagna. Her answers are thoughtful, and, at times poetic. She definitely takes the question seriously.
My thoughts: I really found myself loving the text. Here's ...more
Premise/plot: "What is a Child?" That is the question asked and answered by author, Beatrice Alemagna. Her answers are thoughtful, and, at times poetic. She definitely takes the question seriously.
My thoughts: I really found myself loving the text. Here's ...more
Published earlier in Italy and the United Kingdom, this book is an interesting visual and philosophical treat as each page explores concepts of childhood and what it means to be a child. Some of the realizations are quite profound, especially, for instance, thoughts on what it will be like to be grown up, on the smallness of a child not equating the size of his/her ideas, how they express emotions openly in a way that adults do not, and how they seem forgetful but really aren't, often stashing e
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This book answers the title question, and compares childhood to adulthood in a way that will probably ring true to children and make adults' hearts ache a little. I'm a little unsure about the illustrations, stylized in a sometimes-awkward way (a la No, David!), but would have to test them on some kids. "The children who decide not to grow up will never grow up. They keep a mystery inside them. So that even as grown-ups they will be moved by little things: a ray of sunshine or a snowflake."
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I have to wonder, for whom is this book intended? The adult in me can appreciate the poetic writing. The illustrations, in their way, are great. But is this book really intended for children? I doubt that many children would really understand the text. My rating of this book is based on it being published as what appears to be a children's book. I consider it to have very little kid appeal. If your experience suggests that I am wrong please tell me why.
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One of my favorite pages:
"Children are like sponges They soak everything in:bad moods, bad ideas, other people's fears.
They seem to forget, but then everything comes out again in their school bag,
or under the covers or in front of a book,
Children want to be listened to with eyes wide open."
That last line has my heart.
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"Children are like sponges They soak everything in:bad moods, bad ideas, other people's fears.
They seem to forget, but then everything comes out again in their school bag,
or under the covers or in front of a book,
Children want to be listened to with eyes wide open."
That last line has my heart.
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I want more from this author! The words are poetry and the illustrations are art. By the end of this you’re just hoping you’re one of those grownups she describes, who are secretly still children.
Musings on what makes children and childhood unique.
Poesia
What a delightful read ! This book is a treat for both children and adults. The illustrations are bright and beautiful.. I wanted to write a proper long review as I usually do but couldn’t wait. I’ll do that in Arabic in my Instagram account for Arab readers. Meanwhile this book is worthy of your time and admiration.
I actually didn't like the illustrations at all.. To me the characters seemed to be deformed and I didn't quite understand the reason! Plus I would fully appreciate the descriptions of children. I find them rather banal.
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Sep 26, 2019
Meg T
added it
Written through the child’s eyes, of what they experience and comparison between them and adults. It demonstrates what children notice and how much they take in of the world around them.
Honestly, I found this boring.
Non ho mai sopportato quelle affermazioni del tipo: "I bambini sono belli". L'ho sempre trovata sbagliata, riduttiva.
I bambini sono complicati, sono sfaccettati, sono lisci e sono ruvidi.
I bambini sono leggeri e divertenti ma sono anche pesanti e ostici.
I bambini sono pianti, sono sorrisi, sono risate e sono capricci.
I bambini sono misteri, sono fiocchi di neve e raggi di sole. Sono tempeste, paura del buio e supereroi.
I bambini sono un sacco di cose e per vederle tutte occorre tempo e pazienza. ...more
I bambini sono complicati, sono sfaccettati, sono lisci e sono ruvidi.
I bambini sono leggeri e divertenti ma sono anche pesanti e ostici.
I bambini sono pianti, sono sorrisi, sono risate e sono capricci.
I bambini sono misteri, sono fiocchi di neve e raggi di sole. Sono tempeste, paura del buio e supereroi.
I bambini sono un sacco di cose e per vederle tutte occorre tempo e pazienza. ...more
Childhood is a state of innocence and evolution. Beatrice Alemagna creates a beautiful and sensitive collection of children portraits offering as well a thoughtful depiction of this age.
After months of observation and numerous sketches, the artist offers an over-sized book with mixed-media portraits that all celebrate childhood and invite grown-ups to reflect on the notion of individuality and on the relevance of childhood on each person’s formation.
See full review on blog:
https://fromwordstowor ...more
After months of observation and numerous sketches, the artist offers an over-sized book with mixed-media portraits that all celebrate childhood and invite grown-ups to reflect on the notion of individuality and on the relevance of childhood on each person’s formation.
See full review on blog:
https://fromwordstowor ...more
I loved this exploration of what it's like to be a child. One of my favorites of 2016, a great year for picture books!
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A wonderful picture book that helps adults truly see through a child's eyes.
Each child/each person is a diverse collection of thoughts, feelings and
ways of being. Expand your awareness and heart by reading this book. ...more
Each child/each person is a diverse collection of thoughts, feelings and
ways of being. Expand your awareness and heart by reading this book. ...more
Becoming a fan of Alemagna's books. Her offbeat, unique style appeals to my love of picture books that are different. Liked the over-sized vertical orientation, the illustrations that have the look of being done by children. As much a story about/for adults, good for ages 5 and up.
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I risvolti, come la copertina, sono deliziosi. Per il resto è abbastanza bello, ma non amo particolarmente lo stile dell'Alemagna.
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A celebration of childhood. Maybe we can all find ways to reclaim a bit of it for ourselves?
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Beatrice Alemagna was born in Bologna, Italy in 1973. She graduated from the Istituto Superiore for industrial arts in Urbino, Italy. She has won numerous international awards for her illustration. She now lives in Paris, France, where she works as an author and illustrator as well as a designer of childrens books, posters and collages.
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