Fiction - Animals - General & Miscellaneous, Fiction - Animals - Mammals, Fiction - Nature, Fiction - General & Miscellaneous, Fiction - Family Life

Mason Moves Away

Name: Mason Moves Away
Author: Johnson, Amy Crane , Mommaerts, Robb
ISBN: 9781934960561

by Johnson, Amy Crane, Mommaerts, Robb

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Overview

People enter the northwoods and Mason's peaceful environment will never be the same. Solomon explains the gentle balance that must exist between humans and wildlife. The changes that come with moving can be a good thing! Fourth in a four book seasonally themed series. This is the summer theme. . Books in the series include: A Home for Pearl Squirrel (fall), Lewis Cardinal's First Winter (winter), Cinnamon & the April Shower (spring), Mason Moves Away (summer). Robb Mommaerts has a style that is a cross between cartoon-like characterization, authenticity and his own playful imagination. Using elements of both fantasy and reality, Robb starts each illustration as a black and white colored pencil drawing on bristol board paper with a Berol Prismacolor black pencil. He then colors the art in a layered digital Adobe Photoshop file. Several overlays of color are used to achieve the look and mood that is needed.

Synopsis

Lewis Cardinal is confused as his woodland friends get ready for winter. Should he stay or go? Solomon explains hibernation and migration, leading Lewis to understand the process of change and friendship.

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Editorials

Children's Literature - Mary Hynes-Berry

The story of why Mason the Beaver has to find a new place to live is the fourth of a series of stories built around the seasons. In this summertime tale, the wise old Solomon Raven advises Mason that the humans who destroyed the dam the beaver was building are likely to keep on doing so therefore it is best for him to move his family. Beaver retreats farther into the wilderness and is happy enough, and the human families appreciate the natural setting of their newly built homes. The message that humans and wildlife have to find a balance is good but the story settles for a fairly easy solution that suggests that it is always the humans who will make the decisions and the animals who will have to compromise. Mammaerts' illustrations are halfway between representative and cartoon; it is interesting to see that the pictures focus much more on the creatures and their environment than the humans. Reviewer: Mary Hynes-Berry