The Undesirables

by Paule Brière, Philippe Béha (Illustrator)

In this pointed fairy tale, a king and a queen dream of having the perfect kingdom. How can they make it so? Dispose of all the subjects they view as undesirable! They begin to make a list from A to Z that includes the Archprickilys, the Babbilylips, the Crumpitycrocs, and the Dododungs. As their list grows longer and longer, they are in danger of having no free subjects left at all. But aren't those who are intolerant the true undesirables? A reflection on tyrants big and small, this beautifully illustrated picture book inspires young readers to think about what it means to be left out.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2008

Reviews

[Dolly]

This is an interesting, but strange story about intolerance. The illustrations are very abstract and the names of the different groups of individuals are very inventive. They are listed in a sort of alphabetical order, but a bit jumbled up. I thought this was a worthwhile attempt, but not very successful story.

[Abigail]

Originally published in French as Les indésirables, this "pointed fairy tale" - as the publishers are pleased to style it - is characterized by an overly didactic style that would make a six-year-old seem subtle by comparison. The story of a king and queen who decide to lock up all the "undesirables" in their kingdom, eventually drafting a list that encompasses everyone but themselves, it is clearly meant as a lesson on the dangers of intolerance. The transparently obvious "narrative" makes sure that this lesson is driven home, again and again, as the royals keep adding self-consciously whimsical names to their list. But just in case the reader has failed to grasp this key point, the narrative concludes with the imprisonment of the royals themselves, stating: "That taught them to be intolerant, those Intolerables!"

Now, I have no argument with the idea that tolerance is a desirable quality, and that despotism should be discouraged. Nor do I think that there is anything wrong in broaching such subjects with young readers. Far from it! But youth is not synonymous with stupidity, and I do not think that children need to be bludgeoned with the moral of this, or any other, story. Sadly, that is precisely what Paule Brière does in The Undesirables, which he dedicates to "Custer, Hitler, Pol Pot, Khomeini and Milosevic, and for the true undesirables of today in hope that they may understand."

Seriously, Monsieur Brière? You're seriously dedicating your children's book to Hitler & Co.? (And you seriously think Custer, as bad as he was, should top that list? I guess there weren't any French or Canadian men that occurred to you?) This would be amusing, if it weren't so terribly sad. Even Philippe Béha's intriguing collage art isn't enough to save such an ill-considered project.

[Siskiyou-Suzy]

This is a weird book. It boils down to saying, "Don't be intolerant, except of those who are intolerant," which, while not terrible advice, really makes clear what an oxymoron that is. According to this book, there are undesirables and then "true" undesirables. I mean, the allegory is obvious. Everybody knows all the various things that are being references. But the way the story is simplified into: "So we gave them some of their own medicine!" rings a bit odd.

[Dianne]

This book could have been a cliché - alphabetical nonsensical names, simple plot... but it is, instead, exceptional. The mysterious missing letter-names are quirky and fun, and the moral is perfectly developed. The intricate mixed media illustrations by Philippe Beha are fantastic, some of the most evocative I've seen.

[Laura]

Great illustrations, though the story line seems a bit forced to get everything in. I'm not sure the kid audience gets the moral of the story. The illustrations and character names make it worth checking it out though.