"Tell me what you read and I'll tell you who you are", is true enough, but I'd know you better if you told me what you reread.
~Francois Mauriac
Title: More
Author: I.C. Springman
Illustrator: Brian Lies
This great parable of over-consumption stars a magpie turned hoarder. Her friend mouse gives her one simple marble and that simple gesture generates a spirit of greed that is unstoppable. She looks around and it seems everything she sets her eyes on becomes something she must have. She gathers such treasures as a lego block, a coin, some keys and beads and on and on and on. She not only fills her nest to overflowing but other nests as well. The minimal text and concepts of nothing, something, a few, more and more and then more than enough are explored....the more than enough causes her nest on the tree limb to literally snap because of all its weight.
The illustrations are magnificent and dramatic. They were created from acrylic and pencil on handmade paper. They took four years to produce and are so rich and detailed. You will find yourself going back to them often and delighting in discovering new items that hidden within.
The economy of words in the book inspires economic living in us. The moral is that we should try to live an uncluttered life, keep an eye on our friends, help them make good choices and be there for them when they crash. When materialism is under control we can learn to appreciate the things that we have and gain a sense of freedom knowing that we control our "stuff" and our "stuff" doesn't control us.
About the author:
I. C. Springman is a small-house person in a McMansion-loving world. She lives as simply as possible with one husband, three dogs, and too many books in Durham, NC.
About the illustrator:
Brian Lies
Book Review Rating: 9 (close to perfection!)
Read on and read always.
Thanks for landing here today. Comments always welcome. Have a great day.
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