Tristán gives his friend Marcel a piece of fabric left over from some curtains. Marcel would have preferred a spinning top, but he ends up being grateful for that gift because he realizes how many uses a simple cloth can have: to clean oneself, to protect oneself from the sun, to cross a river, to keep warm, to escape from dangers... Under the lasso and patent leather paper, a gift can be a disappointment for those who were expecting another type of present.
Marcel will appreciate the humility of the detail because the protagonists of this story belong to a world where the most insignificant objects are valued: badges, corks, ropes and even a stone can become a wonderful toy, a fascinating box of surprises. "A different gift" is a reflection on disappointment, addressing children's innate ability to give free rein to their imagination and enjoy whatever they have at hand, no matter how simple it may seem. For them, anything can hide a treasure and become a source of fun; in a Russian doll that contains all the toys, all the gifts.
In the illustrations a mysterious character appears who follows the protagonists on their adventures. The artistic technique combines watercolor and pastel with fabric applications.
■ Theme: friendship, consumerism.
■ Recommended age: from 3 years.
■ Highlights: different applications and utilities for objects; making gifts with homemade materials; recycling; reflection on disappointment; the visual story includes a parallel character outside the literary story; from the illustrator of "Grandparents", "The Thread" and "It's not easy, little squirrel!" (KALANDRAKA).
Pages: 40
Dimensions: 22 x 22 cm
ISBN: 978-84-96388-09-3
Awards: NATIONAL READING PROGRAM (SEP Mexico) – 2006
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION SELECTION (Argentina) – 2015
NATIONAL READING PLAN (PNL Portugal)
Language: Spanish