A fascinating glimpse into the lives and work of an intriguing yet largely unfamiliar segment of society (and culture), both...
In this fictional tribute to a very popular art form—truck art—in Pakistan, a seasoned truck driver reminisces about his career and ruminates on the evolution of truck art.
Chinar Gul finally pays off the loan on his truck and travels over 200 miles to a truck-yard for his friend Zarrar, an artist, to paint it. This is no ordinary paint job. Truck art merges many art forms: painting, carpentry, calligraphy, metallurgy, and bazaar art (portraits, landscapes, and iconic representations of birds and animals) and is often personalized. Chinar likens it to “getting your house done up. It makes it welcoming and your own.” Chinar was a truck cleaner before eventually becoming a driver, wending his way along the treacherous mountain roads for 30 years. To have his own truck is “a dream of a lifetime” for him, and Zarrar proclaims, “This truck’s got to be special.” Chinar agrees. After Zarrar inscribes “Mashallah” on the crown of Chinar’s truck for divine protection, he paints mountain animals and landscapes on the sides. Accompanying the substantial text, monochromatic line drawings contrast effectively with the kaleidoscopic patterns and creatures on the trucks, illustrating how the resplendent beauty of truck art can brighten up an otherwise dreary, hard life.
A fascinating glimpse into the lives and work of an intriguing yet largely unfamiliar segment of society (and culture), both through the gorgeous art and the fascinating story. (author’s note) (Picture book. 4-10)Pub Date: July 11, 2017
ISBN: 978-93-83145-42-3
Page Count: 56
Publisher: Tara Publishing
Review Posted Online: May 9, 2017
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2017
As in Mojave (1988) and Heartland (1989), the land speaks here in first-person verse enumerating its qualities, fauna, geological history, etc. Least successful of the three, this text is awkward and over-earnest. Minor, however, captures some of the high peaks' awesome nobility in his broad, carefully detailed paintings. A valid plea for the environment that will move those not put off by the pretentious text.~(Picture book. 5-10)
Pub Date: March 15, 1991
ISBN: 0-06-021639-5
Page Count: 32
Publisher: HarperCollins
Review Posted Online: June 24, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1991
A fictionalized account of the voyage of a group of prehistoric settler-explorers from Tahiti to Hawaii. The point of view is the boy Teva's, tearfully bidding his mother good-bye but then taking courage from his grandfather's experience in navigating by the stars. Drama is provided by a storm, a calm, and hunger; the story concludes with the sighting of land. No historical note or information on sources is provided, but alert readers will find some information in illustrations of the double sailing canoe. Gray's loveliest paintings, however, are her depictions of the sea and sky and the distant islands in their many moods. Presumably authentic, and therefore useful. (Picture book. 4-8)
Pub Date: Sept. 1, 1992
ISBN: 0-8248-1376-6
Page Count: 48
Publisher: N/A
Review Posted Online: May 19, 2010
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1992
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