Hiding Heidi

Heidi has a special talent, and the young reader meeting Heidi as she lies on the sofa will quickly guess what it is; Heidi is good at hiding. Her clothes always match her background. However, always being the best can prove unsatisfactory. Perhaps, letting others have a chance can be fun as well.

The theme is not new, but Fiona Woodcock handles it with a freshness and charm that is engaging. Using simple lines and an equally simple palette, she fills each double spread with graphics that are refreshingly uncluttered. The images are set against a white ground which gives the text great visual clarity while making it an effective element in the design. This use of white has the added virtue of enhancing the sense of movement and energy as the children, themselves simply presented, play their games. The artist comes from a background of working with animation. However, we are not presented with the business of split pages or cinematic vignettes. She has had the courage to use the book format, to be expansive while ensuring each spread is the final cut. Here is a very attractive addition to the picture book shelves from an artist to be watched.