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Annotated Award-Winning Titles

TD Canadian Children's Literature Award
French book
Le nul et la chipie
François Barcelo
Illustrations: Anne Villeneuve
Saint-Lambert, Quebec: Soulières éditeur,
2004. 101 p.
(Chat de gouttière; 11)
ISBN 2896070001
Ages 10 to 12

As far as Gabrielle is concerned, her grandfather is a has-been; and in his view, she is a little minx. The pair has only one thing in common: a dimple in their chin. They are stuck spending the day together. How will they get through it? The situation is ripe for a major generation clash: on the one hand, a collection of long-established values and habits; on the other hand, a chaotic whirl of preconceived ideas and instant gratification.

Fortunately, this thorny subject is given a humorous twist. The mutual prejudices of the two characters are revealed through their inner monologues, and the exchanges are lively and amusing. To convey a sense of the ongoing duel, the author assigns the two protagonists alternating pairs of pages that record their reflections on the other's behaviour — an ingenious approach that results in a delightfully dynamic narrative. The illustrator adds to the fun by inserting pictures and dialogue balloons right into the text.

It would take a crisis to bring about reconciliation. Is a single day enough to change shame into pride and animosity into love? It is a challenge this mismatched pair must face together.

–JMB