Beegu - Alexis Deacon

This is a work of genius. It's hard to find a piece of literature that can tackle themes of loss, alienation and racism in so little words. Especially for a children's book. The book employs the Paddington Bear-type theme of what it feels like to be an immigrant. The difference here though is that Beegu does not have the warmth and safety of 32 Windsor Gardens and the family in it. The artwork is slightly dark to reflect the mood of loneliness and utter rejection. It does brighten-up at the end, of course. I don't know why the suggested reading age is from 4. Our daughter is almost 2 and she has been reading it for ...  Read the complete review

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ INTRODUCTION ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ My four year-old daughter recently had a birthday and was given a number of books for presents. Amongst them was this odd, slightly out-sized book with a strange sounding title. It was called "Beegu". The front cover featured a mournful looking yellow creature - sort of a cross between a teddy bear and a rabbit (with narrow, extra long ears dragging on the ground) - looking forlornly at a falling leaf, with the backdrop of starry night sky above an indeterminate city. When I attend to bedtime duties, I am used to reading my daughter busy, bright, colourful books with lots of ...  Read the complete review