Symphony City, written and illustrated by Amy Martin.
Now that my daughter is a bit older (if 6 can be thought of as “older” in anyone’s world) I like to try and find her books that she can read herself. But I don’t like to sacrifice beautiful design or sophisticated content. Or, most of all, the otherworldly magic that a picture book can deliver.
Enter Symphony City, by graphic designer and music lover Amy Martin. With the line and blocks-of-color style of silkscreen prints and minimal text that feels more like poetry than prose, Martin brings us along on an urban adventure of sound, where there is music and magic around every corner.
“I try to hold on tight… but I let go”
What begins as the potentially threatening situation of a girl losing her father in a crowded train station,
“…and under the stars and streetlamps there is color everywhere”
Becomes a colorful lyrical mystical sojourn through the sonic universe that is a big city…
“the best songs love you back”
Finally ending in the warm embrace of her mother’s arms.
Which is where we all long to be at times…
Even us grownups.
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Do you know Alfie Atkins from the Swedish author Gunilla Bergström? I would highly recommend “good night, Alfie Atkins”. It has a wonderful 70s flair and design and the stories make our girls and ourselves lough out loud!
Salutations from Switzerland
I don’t know that book but I will check it out for sure… it sounds great!! Thanks for recommending it– we can always use a good belly laugh!