Disagreement

by Nani Brunini

Disagreement is a visual narrative of an argument that devolves out of control, culminating in a shouting match where the only effort being made is to be the loudest. The polarization of opinions and lack of effort to compromise or reach common ground, inspired by recent political events across the globe, consumes those involved. They eventually escape the chaos through creativity and humanism, which ultimately leads to the path of understanding. This book artfully illustrates the toll of conflict and the magic that can occur when one takes a step back from the noise.

Genres: Picture Books, Emotion

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

***SPOILERS HIDDEN***

Disagreement by Nani Brunini is a wordless picture book that shows what happens when a heated disagreement spins out of control. It opens with two people walking outside having a discussion that leads to an argument. In no time, this argument attracts the attention of an increasing number of people, who join in until what started as a small clash becomes a large public feud. Brunini illustrated this disagreement as a cloud of blue and red, its colors colliding onto each other in chaotic, aggressive-looking scribbles and slashes. This cloud grows to mammoth proportions and soon takes on a life of its own when it transforms into a monster that chases the people arguing. In the aftermath, one person turns peacemaker by giving a can’t-we-all-just-get-along speech. He then fashions a horse out of thin air and invites the others to follow him on a calm path toward understanding. In the end, everyone in harmony climbs into the basket of a hot-air balloon and floats away together. But unfortunately, some people just can't get along, ever or very easily: Upon disembarkment, the couple who started the argument in the first place start up all over again, to the exasperation of the peacemaker. Disagreement is understandable but doesn’t hold the reader’s hand. The story relies on smaller details and symbolism, making older readers its ideal audience.

I had some doubt this book would be anything special. Although I like wordless picture books, not all succeed, and this one seems really short at only 36 pages. Drawings are simple and the color palette limited. However, this is something special. Disagreement is intelligent, and its intelligence reveals itself slowly. Brunini’s artistic style is charming and could be at home in The New Yorker. There’s careful deliberation behind her illustrations, and she got across everything she meant to--right down to the subject of the argument. Shown in blue and red, escalating into potentially dangerous territory with groups of people on both sides, the argument has to concern politics. That the colors never blend to become purple is a quieter detail but a meaningful one. She also used proportion with intention, depicting characters as dwarfed by the cloud, which consumes most of the pages it's featured on. Fantastical parts add whimsy, and the ending is delightful and a little amusing.

Lots of wordless picture books could have words and be just as good, or even better, but Disagreement needed to be wordless because it’s a puzzle as much as it is a story. It’s like a piece of art, dependent on interpretation–and it’s better for it. This one is easy to like.

NOTE: I received this as an advance finished copy from LibraryThing in July 2023.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

As this is a wordless picture book, the only things that have changed are the translated title and the publication information on the reverse of the title page. This book could just as easily been released here under the old title but has gone through this transformation because of the highly regional and territorial nature of publishing.

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2023/comm...

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This timely wordless picture book offers much upon which to ruminate as it effectively depicts what sometimes happens when two individuals disagree about something. Since the point of dispute is never identified and the argument represented through various shapes and patterns that change color, growing, swirling, swooping across pages and drawing in onlookers, readers are left to imagine what caused the disagreement. Of course, it could be the smallest point or something far more important, but what matters here is that at first no one is listening to anyone else. The disagreement actually begins on the front endpaper as a man and a woman are walking, and she makes some remark. The subsequent pages show his response, which apparently is quite different from hers. As others are drawn into the conflict, all of these individuals are swallowed by a monster with a huge mouth. Once they enter its maw, everything is dark, and they must find their way to the light and hope that come only when there is cooperation and mutual respect; presumably, the desire to listen to other perspectives is necessary as well. Since so many parts of this book are open to interpretation, youngsters [and older readers] might enjoy having a chance to discuss what it all means to them. It's hard not to think about the great political and cultural divide in our nation these days and not apply the lessons this book seeks to impart.

[Amanda Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book but had a hard time figuring out who the audience is. It’s a wordless picture book with mostly adults and some children looking on. The adults’ disagreement is shown with blue and red talking clouds. The disagreement turns into a monster and eats them. The characters need to work together to escape and a dog and a horse help them. I know that art teachers could do a lot with this book. It would also be helpful to counselors. I knew a middle school that had a great picture book collection. The subject matter for middle and high school picture books is usually too intense for elementary readers. They usually talk about war and mental health and drugs. I feel this book fits in with those. I had a good time filling in my own words as I read the book and I love the deep potential story lines that can be created with the illustrations.

[Sharon Tacon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for a review.
"Disagreement" is an evocative book-without-words that would be excellent for middle and upper grade students. As a tool to spark discussion, it could help young people express and understand feelings brought on by modern day polemics.

[Rachel Willis · Rating 3 out of 5]

No words in this book which I don’t think I was expecting. Should have paired it with the no pictures book but the reading session is over for now.

I talked it out for Bebe but honestly am not feeling too hot and didn’t put my all into it. He seemed upset about the people being angry so I kinda sped through that.

[Zoë]

Short but simple wordless demonstration of the absurdity of yelling over each other. The personification of kind words and collaboration as a hot air ballon was a brilliant twist. I don't think the message is heavy-handed at all and I think a lot of kids will enjoy the details.

[Tatiana Gomes · Rating 4 out of 5]

este livro está muito interessante para trabalhar os fluxos de comunicação, gestão participativa, as relações de poder, relações interpessoais, e gestão de emoções. Livro album, otimo para trabalhar o dialogo, conceitos de democracia e cidadania.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wordless