Ben Zhu

Monkey is on a dessert island, and Fox is on a desert island. At first, Monkey thinks, "I am very lucky" and Fox thinks, "I am very hungry." But when it begins to rain, their fortunes reverse; Monkey, holding a single remaining berry for flotation, calls to Fox for help, Fox reluctantly pulls up the green plant that has just sprouted and uses it as a lifeline. Now the two share the desert island, and feel lucky as they wait for new plants to sprout from Monkey's berry.

The creator's use of the verso/recto and the gutter is subtly outstanding: at first, Monkey is on the verso and Fox on the recto, but their positions switch in a double page spread as Fox hauls Monkey in from the waves, and from then on, they are together on double page spreads (including a picture of them hugging right in the middle, with the gutter running right down the center).

Incidentally, this may also help readers remember the difference between dessert and desert!

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Re-read January 2022… (más)