Here and There

Ivan is an active boy who loves singing to the birds while perched in the pear tree at his mum’s house, and his songs are always like the songs the birds sing to him.  He calls his mum’s house ‘here’, while his dad’s new house is called ‘there’.  He isn’t as happy ‘there’ as he is ‘here’, and he would rather stay ‘here’. In fact, he would rather that dad was ‘here’ too. When he goes to his dad’s house, he is quiet and withdrawn, and dad wonders where his active, happy son has gone.  It is only when dad plays his guitar and sings a new song he has written that Ivan finds his dancing feet and hands and voice, and he begins to sing the songs the birds have taught him to dad’s tune.  He begins to understand that while ‘here’ and ‘there’ are different, he can be himself in whichever place he happens to be.  The illustrations, in acrylic, pencil and collage, are bright and cheerful and full of life and colour; they also indicate some reasons why this couple might have separated!  Having been written in the US, the bird songs we are given are different from those in the UK, but children will enjoy learning about them.  This mixed race family have a lot to give, and while the concept is a sophisticated one, it will certainly help children accept the new situation they find themselves in when parents separate.