A Construction of Cranes
By Margaret Robson Kett & illustrated by Caitlin Zeigler
$24.95, Kettlestitch Press
It seems the norm nowadays for our city and suburban skylines to be crowded with cranes, so it’s about time someone came up with a collective noun for them. At least, that’s how I’m interpreting the title of this eye-catching book – the debut publication from Melbourne-based Kettlestitch Press.
The title works on another level, too, reflecting the way in which both its text and images explore how cranes construct geometric shapes, high in the sky. An unusual format (tall and thin, befitting its subject matter) makes this book standout, as do the kaleidoscopic illustrations, which use collage to emphasise shapes and angles. While a few labelled illustrations give factual information about cranes, the text focuses on form and movement, imagining what it would be like to be a crane, and the overall feel is abstract and artistic.
Angie Schiavone has a Master of Arts in Children's Literature and is the former children's book reviewer for The Sydney Morning Herald. She has been a judge for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards, a restaurant reviewer and editor for the Good Food Guide, and a cookbook editor. She's also a mum to two book and food-loving kids.
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