Book study: Varmints

This picture book was something I encountered about 4 or 5 years ago and is probably been one of the main contributors towards my current interest in this medium. The book was the first of it's type that I had ever read (a picture book for adults and children alike). The issues were real, current and the images have stayed with me ever since.

The story is about humanity, the environment and the world we live in. The opening page gives a definition of the word var+mint; an irritating or obnoxious person or animal. I believe this refers to the antagonists within the story rather than the protagonist who is shown above. The cover image throws this idea off as we instantly tie the character and title together as they are in the same image.

I find the text seems minimal through this story with strong visual images telling all that it not said. There seems to be a synergy between the interplay of word and text especially within the very dark scenes. The writing is not white but grey, handwritten as though scratched into the page.

The main issue within the story is respect for nature or as in the varmints the lack of respect. This is a reflection on the authors view of humanity. We have reached a point in civilisation where we are able to manipulate and control some factors of nature. We display disregard for nature in pursuit of so called progress as is displayed in the construction of the tall buildings which touch the sky and replace the birds that once had flown in that very space. The building up of so much noise that no one could hear themselves think, so they stopped thinking! Most likely refers to the human rat race common within any major city. People easily become so consumed by their own lives and thoughts they can often forget about much greater things than themselves such as nature and the world we live in. Without nature in the everyday life some can begin to see it as something that belongs outside the city and therefore easily forgotten about. The rise in population only puts more demands on an already fragile situation, the destruction of nature and extinction of animals is a real problem that exists today with no real promise of a solution.

This book raises these issues, it asks the question who are you? Are you a varmint? Or do you hear the sound of bees, the murmuring of moles, do you notice the birds in the sky? This book to me works as a mirror, allowing the reader to reflect upon themselves, who they are and what they value. This may have been the authors intention or just my own opinion, however this book works as a great tool to discuss the issues addressed regardless of age. The images have such a striking contrast between the large blue sky prior to the varmints arrival, then the hope of a better future is displayed in a very imaginative manner through the use of what can only be presumed as space ships. These ships may be a representation of something else but for me they signify hope. Some of the illustrations are shown below to highlight what I have discussed.