PERHAPS A GIFT VOUCHER FOR MUM?: MOTHER'S DAY
Zeno Sworder is a writer and artist who lives in Melbourne with his young family. After studying Chinese literature and migration law at university, he ended up as a dish washer. Later, he went on to work as a journalist, an English language teacher, a consular officer, an advocate for refugees and immigrants and a jewellery designer. He is a lover of all stationery but has a particular soft spot for pencils. Sworder is the CBCA New Illustrator of the Year 2021, and his first book This Small Blue Dot was a CBCA Notable Book, the winner of the 2021 Australian Book Designers Association's Award for Best Designed Children's Illustrated Book, and the Designers' Choice Children's/Young Adult Book of the Year.
'A poignant, fantastical conceit, reminiscent of the work of Shaun Tan... In spare, unflinching prose, Sworder shows just how much [parents are] willing to give up so their son can have what other children have... [His] soft pencil-and-watercolor illustrations, inspired by Japanese woodblock prints, are as rich with emotion and atmosphere as his text' - The New York Times Book Review '[With] muted colors and stunning, intricately textured illustrations ... this deceptively simple tale is laced with profound, beautifully wrought truths... A clever and poignant tribute to the love of all those who made the journey' - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) 'Haunting and magical... One of the best takes on the experiences of children of immigrant parents...in a picture book form... A story of truly enduring love... Each piece of this book fits snugly together with every other piece, like a well-constructed puzzle. Simple enough for children to understand. Layered enough for adult readers to appreciate. Strangely perfec' - School Library Journal 'A powerfully emotive read' - @bookgiftblogger 'A deeply moving story that honours the personal cost of giving everything to those you love. The illustrations are beautiful, capturing the fierce strength, love and dignity of the boy’s parents' - Juno 'Thought-provoking … the amazing illustrations and poignant words beautifully capture the difficulties encountered by immigrant children and their families' - The School Librarian
