Author/illustrator Petr Horácek revisits a favourite John Burningham illustration
In this snowy scene Trubloff is travelling home with his sister to be with their sick mother. He clutches his balalaika as they venture into the vast, cold landscape. Their small figures on the right of the scene are determined and courageous on their journey into the snowy landscape.
Burningham paints the snow in this picture in different shades of white and grey, giving the picture a sense of depth and the impression of cold. The warmth of the low red sun contrasts with the freezing landscape.
“What I really love about John Burningham’s artwork is the sense of freedom and experimentation, so that the characters like the mouse Trubloff in this book are often drawn differently but even though they may appear completely different, they are always right for the illustration. This picture conveys a sense of quiet hope and determination, a portrayal of adventure and longing in a children’s book.”
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