Week 7: Traditional Literature

When the Root Children Wake Up by Audrey Wood

Genre: Picture book, folktale

This beautifully illustrated picture book is based on an old German folk tale about Root Children who sleep, below ground, through the winter and wake in time for their Spring Masquerade. Wood's retelling of this timeless story of birth and rebirth could not be expressed so convincingly if it were not for Ned Bittinger's haunting illustrations. His stunning traditional paintings with hints of fantastical elements do not disappoint.

The story line is simple and alluring. Wood uses uncomplicated language but this does not impede the captivating images she creates through the story's wording. Although the illustrations are central to this book, if I covered them and read only the written text I could still enjoy the enchanting story. This line in particular stood out to me: "Deep beneath the ground, the Root Children awaken the bugs and lead them up through tunnels lit by fireflies." This unique image conjures up pictures in my head of cozy tunnels deep underground and insects, single file, marching through them to reach the surface. For a child's wild imagination this story gives them the opportunity to explore the world of children beneath the ground. Children can relate to the Root Children and their love of dressing up in pretty clothing for a party, and their boundless energy which keeps them going day and night through the summer season.

Having looked through many picture books over the course of this semester, it seems that authors who illustrate their own texts often have the best illustrations. Obviously, this makes sense: they know their stories best and have a keen vision of they subtleties they want to express in their work. In the case of this book, however, the author and illustrator are not one in the same. Nevertheless, the paintings by Ned Bittinger seem, to me, like visions plucked from the author's mind and transferred onto paper. (It is interesting to note that upon researching Audrey Wood I discovered that she usually illustrates her own stories. Her decision to leave the Root Children illustrations to someone else indicates that she must have trusted Bittinger's work.) One of my favorite aspects of the illustrations is how Bittinger portrays Mother Earth and the four seasons. Each season has a character: Old Grandfather Winter, Aunt Spring, Cousin Summer, and Uncle Fall. Mother Earth is a beautiful young woman, not the old lady we often see depicted in literature. Bittinger's decision to paint her in this light suits the uncomplicated, blissful atmosphere of the story. Another surprise for me is Cousin Summer. This is whom I imagine as the lovely young woman, however, he is a jovial young man! With a wreath of foliage around his head and a scruffy red beard, Summer laughs and plays with the Root Children, giving this season an unexpected, modern twist.

A final point regarding the physical appearances of the characters is that the Root Children vary in ethnicity. It is not glaringly obvious as the illustrations are soft and unassuming to begin with. But as I examined them carefully I noticed African American children, Asian children, Indian children, and so on. It is a refreshing change for a tradition folk tale.

The technical aspects of the paintings also accurately reflect the mood and images in the story. The book begins with Grandfather Winter surrounded by swirling whites and blues on a barren landscape that is winter. The sweeping snow across the page suggests the endless feeling which often accompanies the season. When the Root Children emerge and it is spring soft greens, tans, blues, and yellows express the newness and rebirth of springtime. In a scene where a Root Child is pulling Aunt Spring from her bed of ferns and lilies, her golden hair flows all around her. These lines of movement make it seem as though she will rise from her bed and off the page. Soon it is summer which introduces reds emphasizing the vibrancy of summer and the Root Children's never ending masquerade. Autumn brings clear blue skies and golden leaves.

Overall I love this book. I love not only the fantastic illustrations (which are nice enough to be framed art on anyone's wall) but also the charming tale of children excited for the warm seasons of spring and summer so they can play. These Root Children could be any child. They could be a rambunctious class of grade 1 students, or the neighborhood kids who play in your yard. That is part of the beauty of this tale: it is timeless and ageless. Both children and adults will enjoy When the Root Children Wake Up.