Halibut Jackson
by DAVID LUCAS
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Book Summary Information
Author: DAVID LUCASEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2004-02-10
ISBN: 0375826904
Number of pages: 32
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Book Reviews of Halibut Jackson
Book Review: A Treasure in the Making
Summary: 5 Stars
"Halibut Jackson was shy...Halibut Jackson liked to blend in to the background." So begins this highly original tale of a boy who undergoes chameleon-like clothes changes so that others won't notice him. At first, I didn't quite get the book, thinking the illustrations so cluttered that I didn't even know where to find Halibut. However, that's part of the fun: Jackson blends into the early 20th century background in a series of clever disguises that work as a trompe d'oeil. On wondrous page one, he wears a suit colored exactly like the brick wall against which he stands, as a dirigible, a soldier on a might blue horse, a musician, a lady in a giant green hat, and various colonnades decorate the two-page color illustration. IF there were a book award for set decoration, this would win it.
On the next few pages, we see him in a garden-patterned shirt and hat that perfectly matches the flowers in the park. Again, the other objects in the scene are both intriguing and function as distracters in the reader's effort to find Halibut: There's an odd tree with gigantic peanuts, a pineapple plant, and assorted birds, mushrooms, and flowers. Watch for Jackson's environment matching suits in a grocery store, a library (an especially tough one), and his house (which shows a photo of Jackson covering his eyes!).
One day, he receives an invitation to attend the Queen's birthday party. Although he longs to see the Palace, he doesn't want to go to a grand gathering. However, "that night he dreamed of the Palace. HE dreamed of glittering towers, of silver stairs, of a golden door...And when he woke, he had an idea." Halibut Jackson, believing that the fete will be held inside the ornate periwinkle and gold castle interior, creates a suit to match, right down to the jewels on a crown like hat. In yet another magical picture, Halibut is shown amongst musicians, dancers, a peacock, and elaborate decorations-outside the castle! "Everybody noticed Halibut Jackson." But Jackson learns that being noticed isn't always bad, even when you're completely different from the rest of the guests. The happy conclusion features yet more clever pictures and costumes, and when I finished the book, I realized this was among the most original picture books I've recently seen.
It takes great talent to pull off a relatively simple (though satisfying) story mostly through illustrations, but Lucas completely triumphs. His pictures have a definite Matisse influence, and the low-tech production indeed recalls picture books of 50 years ago (thin non-glossy paper, no computer-aided drawing, colors right out of a crayon box). A complete joy to behold, this book is an inspiration for budding artists, a fun "search" book, and a lightly told message all in one. Very highly recommended!
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