Hiznobyuti

Great art and a nice story in this children's book.

So this is an interesting one. I read most of it as Okilele, in French, and there's something about it that I prefer. A little of the translation I found a bit clunky, but it's solid for the most part. The artwork is pretty fantastic. It's original, but there is something so familiar about it... I don't mean that it reminds me of something. I mean that it just looks classic -- like it's always been around. Some might find the storyline with the family and their weird-looking kid a bit disturbing. French stories and songs are often a bit darker. There are some genuine laughs throughout.

Hīznobyūtī is an 'ugly duckling’ reweaving by French children's author Claude Ponti. When he is hatched, Hīznobyūtī didn't look like his family at all. He had a tiny trunk instead of a snout. They said 'he’s no beauty’ enough times that Hīznobyūtī thought it was his name. As he grew older, he realised he didn't look like the others in his family. He tried different things to blend in. He created masks to hide his face, but it didn't work. He always felt underfoot, or in the way, even when going out of his way to be alone and quiet. Hīznobyūtī finally decided to live under the sink, away from everyone, and they forgot about him. He was alone, save for Martin Clock. Eventually, he created a cozy home for himself underground. After a time, he and Martin leave to go explore, meeting all manner of folk, and helping those in need. His travels led him back to the beginning, where he found finally found acceptance. Most importantly, Hīznobyūtī learned that he was good enough in himself, and he needed no one else's approval to be happy.

This is translated from French, and recalled to my mind The Little Prince. There's definitely a great deal of cultural influence that cannot be directly translated. There's a harshness in how Hīznobyūtī’s family treated him, acting as if he weren't even part of the family. Yet, despite that, he persevered and learned that his own approval was all he needed. There are themes of resilience and going with the flow. In the end, all worked out for Hīznobyūtī! It is a marvelous glimpse into how a different culture perceives things as well, and this can be a great talking point with children if you are working with cultural awareness. I find that a great skill to pass on from a young age. My cubs loved this book, and the lessons offered. Great addition to any bookshelf!

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Archipelago for providing an egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.