Bones

BOOK REVIEW

BONES

Author: Txabi Arnal From the reader report by: Rodrigo Petronio

Two suns appear: a large one on the horizon and a small one, which is close to the ears of the little dog Huesos. Huesos is a very special (and space) dog. The small sun started orbiting around him. At night the little sun let itself go round and landed on Huesos’ heart. There was a snap and Huesos smiled and never barked again. Huesos was gone, but the little sun was not: it grew and grew until it became the master of the house. The narrator makes friends with the little flea that survived. Until one day the flea’s little sun shined on it.

A very simple, beautiful and touching book, with very few resources. It deals with the loss of pets in a metaphorical way, through the little sun that survives Huesos and then survives the little flea’s death (perpetuates its life). Illustrations are beautiful. A naïve and good book that can be worked on in a cross-cutting way approaching issues of death, memory, preservation, affection, friendship, farewell, and attachments, among other themes.

Txabi Arnal Gil, born in Ermua in 1967, has lived for years in Vitoria-Gasteiz, where he is a professor of Yound Adult’s Literature at the UPV-EHU. His books have been selected by the White Ravens and the Banco del Libro de Venezuela, and he also won the Vittoria Samarelli Award (2012). He published several works such as A fantástica garota invisível, Beijos, O quebra-cabeça, O ladrão de selos, Nicolás, Tigretón-To, Caixa de papelão.

PUBLISHED IN NEW SPANISH BOOKS BR

FUN READERS

Title BONES HUESOS

Author Txabi Arnal Genre Children and Youth Pages 44

ISBN 978-84-12181-60-9 Year of publication 2020 Number of editions 1 Language Spanish Spanish retail price 13.95 €

Author’s biography: Javier Ignacio “Txabi” Arnal Gil works as a professor of Children’s Literature at the sports and education at Vitoria-Gasteiz; he has a PhD in Psychodidactics by the University of the Basque Country --Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea. He has published many books as a children’s literature author. He has received many awards and mentions, such as “Best Books for Children and Young Adults”, Banco del Libro de Venezuela, 2010 (Cardboard Box); White Raven 2011 (Cardboard Box); Vittoria Samarelli 2012 (The Tailor’s Heart); Best Published Books in Children and Young Adults’ Literature, Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports 2015 (The Legend of Zum). www.todostuslibros.com/autor/txabi-arnal

Synopsis: Thanks to the main character of this illustrated book, a dog called Bones, children will face a sadly inevitable situation: the loss of a loved one. It is necessary to help them face and get over this moment without having to hide completely what has happened. Two people talk about their feelings, express what Bones meant to them, and are not afraid of showing the pain left by the absence of their friend.

Publisher: Fun Readers Publishing house specializing in books for children and young adults, with a primary goal of bringing the pleasure of reading to a younger audience. The publisher is run by five specialists in the fields of literature, education, and business. Each book is a unique project and is provided with the specific resources it needs.

Publishing rights available from: Fun Readers SL - CIF B42689737 La Landrona 2, Bigastro, Alicante www.funreaders.es/producto/huesos/ Contact: Consuelo López [info@funreaders.es] [consuelo@funreaders.es] Phone: (+34) 635 790 975

Comments: The book is also available in Basque and in Valencian/Catalan.