The Carpenter - by Bruna Barros (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A young boy abandons his beloved electronics when an old-fashioned yellow-jointed tape measure causes his imagination to run wild in [this] wordless expression of the simple joys found in exploration and creative play"--Amazon.com.

Book Synopsis

A book to read with your eyes and your heart . . .

"A young boy abandons his beloved electronics when an old-fashioned yellow-jointed tape measure causes his imagination to run wild, in The Carpenter, a wordless expression of the simple joys found in exploration and creative play. Brazilian illustrator Bruna Barros uses basic yet bold contrasting colors, and lines that showcase the transformation of a carpenter's shop into a veritable ocean of wonder, giving Harold and his purple crayon a run for his money." --Foreword Reviews

This special book shares its story without a single word. Bruna Barros' beautiful, creative illustrations will capture children's imaginations, showing readers that even the simplest, most common objects can start a wonderful adventure. This book also offers opportunities to foster discussions and spontaneous story telling.

After studying fashion design and interior design in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Bruna Barros switched directions to focus on art. She spent two years at the Academy of Fine Arts of Venice, working closely with children, while she earned a degree in Graphic Arts. She has illustrated eight children's books.

Review Quotes

"A young boy abandons his beloved electronics when an old-fashioned yellow-jointed tape measure causes his imagination to run wild, in The Carpenter, a wordless expression of the simple joys found in exploration and creative play. Brazilian illustrator Bruna Barros uses basic yet bold contrasting colors, and lines that showcase the transformation of a carpenter's shop into a veritable ocean of wonder, giving Harold and his purple crayon a run for their money."-- (11/21/2016)

"Creativity abounds in this wordless tale of an overalls-clad adult and similarly dressed child spending time together in a wood shop. This black duo, both clad in orange overalls, operates separately in the opening pages. The child's attention is on a digital device; the adult, on the opposite side of the gutter, is drawing plans for a boat. When the folding measuring stick stretches across the divide and displays a tongue (as if it were talking), the child becomes fully present. The child studies the instrument before turning it into a house, car, elephant, and finally a whale that spouts water. Barros, a Brazilian artist, employs a limited palette; her bold images contrast pleasingly with expansive white backgrounds; there is a generous use of space in the small trim size (8.25 by 5 .5 inches) that keeps the focus on the characters and what they are constructing. The warm grain of the wooden boat and the individual, textured droplets of blue water add more interest. As the water--and faux tension--rises, the adult is pulled into the spirit of play, paddling over to rescue the child, who creates a sail with the yardstick. An introductory message from the author states: "This book has no words, yet it has limitless stories to tell...." A joyful invitation to participate in invention. (Picture book. 3-6)"-- (12/07/2016)