Griso - by Roger Mello (Hardcover)

About the Book

"The last of his kind, Griso travels the world searching for unicorn companions. He asks beetles, chameleons, and buffalos if they've seen any mythical creatures like him, and all send him on his way saying, "Neither here nor at the edge of the world." Griso gallops across plains, marshes, and mountains, he trots into the sunset and chats with fearsome narwals by the sea. On each spread, we see Griso rendered in a new artistic style, portrayed as a shadowy cave painting, a chivalrous medieval stead, or lost along a mind-bending surrealist horizon. Griso, the Unique introduces young readers to artistic movements spanning the 7th to 18th century, leaping across time and color with the flip of a page."--Publisher description.

Book Synopsis

A unicorn searches for others just like him in this vibrant and shapeshifting tale by Batchelder-Honor author and illustrator, Roger Mello

The last of his kind, Griso travels the world searching for unicorn companions. He asks beetles, chameleons, and buffalos if they've seen any mythical creatures like him, and all send him on his way saying, "Neither here nor at the edge of the world." Griso gallops across plains, marshes, and mountains, he trots into the sunset and chats with fearsome narwals by the sea. On each spread, we see Griso rendered in a new artistic style, portrayed as a shadowy cave painting, a chivalrous medieval stead, or lost along a mind-bending surrealist horizon. Griso, the Unique introduces young readers to artistic movements spanning the 7th to 18th century, leaping across time and color with the flip of a page. In Daniel Hahn's exquisite translation, Griso, the Unique opens the doors to a world of African painting, Tang Dynasty murals, medieval tapestries, and art hidden beneath Egyptian pyramids. A song of color, time, expression, and a fantastical search for belonging by Brazilian visionary, Roger Mello.

Review Quotes

"[Griso, the One and Only] is an artistic masterpiece introducing readers to centuries of artistic movements, while reinforcing the strengths and merits of being one's authentic self."
-- School Library Journal, starred review

"Spanning the seventh to 18th centuries, with artwork including Tang dynasty murals, medieval tapestries, African paintings, and Egyptian pyramids, Griso transforms to appear in each artistic style. Following the story is a listing of every illustration's origin, time period, and a note about the legends of unicorns throughout literature. Translated from Portuguese, the text accompanying the artwork perfectly coalesces the beautiful story . . . This is an artistic masterpiece introducing readers to centuries of artistic movements, while reinforcing the strengths and merits of being one's authentic self.
--Michele Shaw, School Library Journal, starred review

"Griso may be the one and only, but he's rendered in many different variations throughout this veritable unicorn tapestry, which demonstrates, with power and immediacy, each style's particular way of seeing."
-- Publishers Weekly

"This Brazilian import is an artful tour de force."
--Stephanie Tournas, Youth Services Book Review

"Griso encourages you to take inspiration from the world's art, and to feel freedom in exploring alternative styles. It also speaks to the feeling of yearning, and of close, watchful study of a color, artwork, or line. Griso makes you want to prop up a museum stool, gaze at a medieval tapestry for hours, and set to work on observing all that you can."
-- Emma Raddatz, Elsewhere Editions director interviewed in Publishers Weekly

"From Persian bas-reliefs to Tang dynasty murals, Griso's shape-shifting journey is depicted with exquisite detail and authenticity. The book not only tells a story but also serves as an introduction to centuries of artistic heritage."
-- Momma Braga Blog

"Roger Mello brilliantly places Griso across time, space, and cultures through a selection of artistic styles . . . Griso's courage turns the page. He ventures on. And the narrative urges the reader on . . . Mello's command of imagery and Hahn's attentive translation captivate readers."
--Michelle Notte

About the Author

Roger Mello has illustrated over 100 titles - 22 of which he also wrote - and his unique style and adroit sense of color continues to push the boundaries of children's book illustration. Rather than relying on written narrative to tell the story, Mello invites his young readers to fill the gaps with imagination. Mello has won numerous awards for writing and illustrating, including three of IBBY's Luis Jardim Awards, the Best Children's Book 2002 International Award, and the 2014 Hans Christian Andersen Award. In 2018, You Can't Be Too Careful! was named a Batchelder Honor Book by the American Library Association. Charcoal Boys was published by Elsewhere Editions in 2019 and was named a USBBY 2020 Outstanding International Book. And in 2022, João by a Thread also received a Batchelder Honor.

Translator Daniel Hahn is the author of a number of works of nonfiction, including The Tower Menagerie. He is one of the editors of The Ultimate Book Guide, a series of reading guides for children and teenagers. His translation of The Book of Chameleons by José Eduardo Agualusa won the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize in 2007, his translation of Agualusa's A General Theory of Oblivion was shortlisted for the Man Booker International Prize in 2016. He has translated the work of Philippe Claudel, María Dueñas, José Saramago, Eduardo Halfon, and others. He has collaborated with Roger Mello on three transcendent picture books: You Can't Be Too Careful!, Charcoal Boys, and João by a Thread.