THE VISIT

A keen appreciation for quietude comes to the fore in this affecting fable, originally published in Spain.

Like many parents in fairy tales, Little Fox’s mother leaves her youngster alone with the instructions “Don’t open the door for anyone.” While Little Fox intends to obey, when she hears a knock on the door, she discovers that the being on the other side isn’t “anyone,” but rather “Silence.” Silence, a giant white outline of a being, enters, filling the space, and Little Fox is initially afraid. After sharing a meal, however, the two learn that they both love to dance. Silence doesn’t dance to music (“If you play music, I’ll go away”), so Little Fox moves to the sound of her own heartbeat. Now that she has Silence, she realizes that she can hear the thoughts inside of herself so much more clearly. Figueras’ gently moving prose, translated from Catalan, pairs well with Font’s striking artwork as Little Fox gradually evolves from fearing silence to not simply accepting it, but hoping for more of it. Neither words nor illustrations are heavy-handed, but nevertheless send a subtle message that rings loud and clear in a busy, noisy world that could do with more silent moments. Like an oasis amid the cacophony of everyday life, Little Fox’s den is depicted in mustard yellow, surrounded by an Henri Rousseau–esque jungle filled with plants and birds.

A subtle counterpoint to noise and excess that makes the absence of sound a companion worth knowing.