Watching

by Suzy Chic, Monique Touvay (Illustrator), Sarah Adams (Translator)

Following the long journey of a cute, imaginary, morph-like creature and his playful friends as they travel across the countryside throughout an entire season, this delightful and touching story presents a number of questions for adults and children to consider, such as how we are affected by the passage of time. It is a story of depth and poignant details that subtly reveals the answers to its questions in a beautiful and understated way.

Genres: Picture Books

48 pages, Hardcover

First published May 11, 2006

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

So many wonderful children's books are never translated into English, and never find their way to the United States, that I am always excited to learn of a publisher which makes a point of releasing foreign children's titles, be they novels or picture-books. Enchanted Lion Books, here in New York - whose high quality output includes the fabulous Big Wolf & Little Wolf - is one such publisher, and I was delighted, in a recent discussion in the online children's books group to which I belong, to discover another: UK-based Wingedchariot Press, "set up to translate and publish innovative children's books from across the globe."

Suzy Chic's Watching..., originally published in French as Attends..., is my first foray into Wingedchariot's catalogue, but I hope it will not be my last. The simple, first-person narrative follows a sleek-looking white creature, described in some blurbs as a "morph" (I have no idea what that means...), who discovers that waiting - and watching - brings its reward. Offered a beautiful flower by the tree he(?) had been contemplating, but advised that if he waits, he will have a fruit instead, the morph leaves the flower to grow. Advised, when it first appears, that if he waits, the fruit will ripen, the morph leaves it on the tree. And when the fruit is finally ripe, the morph is advised to plant it, and (of course) wait for another tree to sprout...

Less of a story than an illustrated fable, Watching offers a gentle lesson about the importance of having patience, of waiting. The morph discovers that watching brings its own rewards, not the least of which is the joy of watching itself. The accompanying watercolor illustrations by Monique Touvay - some full-page, some no bigger than a thumb-nail - are just lovely - peaceful and sweet. All in all, a winsome little picture-book!

[Phoebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think my heart melted when I saw the words 'Thank you'.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The blurb below hypes this book up a little more than necessary. Really, it’s a subtle story of seasons and a tree’s lifecycle—or rebirth. I had no expectations going in, so it delighted me and my daughters. The illustrations are beautiful, the main character’s curiosity is sweet. Great for ages 1-4.

[معصومه توکلی · Rating 3 out of 5]

عنوان ترجمه فارسی:
صبر...

[Susanna Torelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Il valore dell'attesa e di uno sguardo orientato al futuro spiegato in modo semplice.

[Jo Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book, I can't tell you exactly why. I don't have children, I was simply drawn to the illustrated character in this book. I kept looking at it outside a children's book shop and eventually my best friend bought it for me as I couldn't seem to justify buying a children's book for myself.

There a few words in this book making it perfect for young children, however the story is bigger than the words if you just let your mind and emotions flow with the pictures.

Even now, if I am feeling low or poorly I like to read this book, or better still have it read with/to me by a loved one or good friend.