Citation from The International Youth Library:
This book won the first Wordless Book Prize awarded by the Philippine section of the International Board on Books for Young People in 2018. Its beautifully drawn pictures tell a story that is captivating to readers, even without any background knowledge of Typhoon Ondoy, which devastated the Philippines in 2009 and left the author’s family uncertain how their lives would continue. In this story, a man fills his boat with all his belongings when his house becomes flooded. With his oars, he rescues a little dog floating alone in a dipper from imminent attack by a crocodile. Then his oars are lost, and he has to paddle with his hands while casting off his remaining possessions. After saving a mangrove sapling, he finds a large branch attached to it and can row to a small island, where he plants the little tree – a cliché, as Monzon admits, but a symbol for the will to piece a life back together after calamity. This is a story about climate change, and about how much people are willing to sacrifice in order to help others.
AWARDS: 2018 PBBY Wordless Book Prize
The International Youth Library 2018 White Raven
ALEXINE: I was also wordless after reading this, I had to wait a while and let it simmer. This moves the soul.
ADRIANA: I really liked that he did everything to save the puppy. I love this.
BOOK DETAILS
STORY & ART BY: Harry Monzon
PUBLISHER: Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY)
LANGUAGE: Wordless
ISBN: 9786219629300
DATE PUBLISHED: 2020
FORMAT: Softcover
SIZE: 6x8in
WEIGHT: 65g
