Kids’ Book Review: Review: Is It Asleep?
The old stump is where Pock and his friend spend
quality time watching birds flash by.
Moving further down on the path through beautiful bent
and twisted trees, they follow their normal route to the place where the
blackbird sings.Â
They look everywhere for the bird, but he can’t be found.
They come across it lying under the dark, curving
tree trunks on the yellow ground.Â
So much life pulses around them, but the bird is
still.
They move closer.Â
They assume it must be sleeping. They stand still
and quiet, just looking. Waiting for it to awaken.
 They have never had the opportunity to view the blackbird
up close before. They notice the unique colour of his feathers.
Time passes. They try to wake him as leaves drift
slowly from the trees to the ground to lie as still as the bird.Â
They decide to ask Gunther the mouse if he has any
ideas on how to wake the blackbird.Â
All the things he suggests are beyond their power
to execute.Â
Pock realises the bird is dead.
What is dead? How can they tell?Â
The three friends can’t understand. They throw
suggestions out to each other. Â But the
only conclusion they come to is they can’t leave him there like that, exposed to the elements and other animals.Â
There are countless coloured leaves around so they
blanket the bird with their softness.Â
How can the bird and its moving song be remembered?Â
They will find a way.Â
With moving reflection, and a tribute to life lived
and lost, death is gently portrayed in a pure, uncomplicated way that children can
comprehend.Â
Pages filled with stunning full-colour images of
nature at its best, support the cycle of life. Played out against the perfect
backdrop of falling leaves, they symbolise everything that is, that becomes
what was.
Title:Â Is It Asleep?
Author/Illustrator:Â Olivier Tallec
Publisher:Â Gecko Press, $27.99Â
Publication Date: 1 August 2025
Format: HardcoverÂ
ISBN:Â 9798765670521
For ages:Â 5 – 7
Type:Â Picture Book
