Cecil's Story

Cecil's Story tells a the hypothetical story of what might happen if your father was a Civil War soldier and went off to fight. What might happen if he was injured, and your Mama had to go and fetch him. What might happen if you had take care of her, the house, the farm. Lyon tackles the issues of war, wounds, and bravery with delicacy and respect while not skirting the issues and engaging young readers, through their imagination, to emotionally connect with Cecil and his story. Catalanotto's full-spread paintings mimic Lyon's muted tone and he creatively employs layered images of a chick growing in its shell, and a young boy - at various positions - working the field to show the progression of time as both parents are missing. His paintings utilize warm browns and yellows to show the coziness of home, vibrant greens and blues to display the beauty of nature, and smoky charcoal and navy shadows for the scenes of soldiers smoking cigarettes, and Cecil's loneliness on the farm. Unfortunately relevant again today, Cecil's Story is a must for children and classrooms in which the young must struggle with loved ones away at war, the emotions surrounding their well-being, and hopes for a safe return.

Cecil's story was written by the sister of my English professor. It is simple but extraordinarily powerful. The book deals with a young boy's reaction as his father is wounded in the war, though I think it would be appropriate for any child who's parent has suffered an illness or injury. It concludes with the understanding that in the face of debilitating circumstances, we are fortunate simply to have each other.Both the writing and the artwork are extraordinary--I would recommend it for any child.

Catalanotto's illustrations bring so much depth to this story of a child missing his father. His use of overlapping images to show the passage of time is beautiful. A moving book to have and treasure.