Yoluma and the King
Product Code: 3Yoluma and the King
A unique gift, a copy of James first children\'s book, the price includes postage costs.
This wonderful picture book tells the story of Yoluma, a boy who chooses to take part in his village\'s annual competition to make a special lantern for the King. The challenge enables him to forge a mysterious unbreakable bond with the Lantern, another boy tries to copy his Lantern but which one will the village elders choose?. Told as a traditional fable the book takes the reader on a journey of self discovery and the beauty of honestly creating something new with integrity.
Review
“I first came across the work of James Naughton when I saw a series of his landscape paintings. The intensity of light and shadow played out through natural drama was striking to me. When I later read James’ children’s book, Yoluma and the King, I noticed the drama again, this time unfolding in a series of monochromatic images threaded along in a fable-like fashion.
While we normally think of a children’s book as being enhanced by colourful images, in Yoluma and the King it is the near absence of colour that electrifies the book. There is a certain dedication to the image that is not lost in the absence of colour but instead is drawn to life, occupying a presence from start to finish. Tempered form, radiant light and deep shadows help portray empathy for the main character and give the illustrations both a visual and emotional depth. In this way, the illustrations are a kind of visual poetry, luminous, fanciful and mysterious.
And yet, Yoluma and the King is a children’s book. Or rather, as described in James’ website, it is a book for ages 5-105. Wanting to see what a child’s reaction to it would be, I read the book together with my 8 year old son. The story is presented with great tenderness. While it is plainly told, it is an allegorical story and, like art, open to interpretation. My son gave me the impression that this was a book that causes a child to think and wonder and feel compassion. After we’d finished, he spent time turning through the pages and running his fingers over the details of some of the pictures. My son—the boy whose major interests are cars, sports, and playing with friends—for a time became absorbed by this book. I wouldn’t say that I was surprised, but it was really lovely to see.”
Ana Gauche - Editor
