At first glance, readers may assume this is an art book with lots of circles and patterns. Once they begin reading, they will see it is the story of how languages can be subsumed by others. . . . a story that works on many levels for various ages, from a simple fable about greed to a wake-up call to value linguistic diversity.
—School Library Journal (starred review)
Each ‘story’ is represented as a softly washed watercolor circle floating against a white background and filled with character-based patterns. . . extensive back matter reveals a vast array of writing systems, and makes the case for their preservation.
—Publishers Weekly
This poignant tale is an ode to preserving cultures and stories from around the world.
—Brightly
Artist Sam Winston’s stunning book is both a work of art and a tribute to the diversity of languages, stories, ideas and perspectives the world can hold. . . . The idea is lovely — but even more stunning is the story behind the art, which uses text from languages throughout history and from around the world. A fascinating guide at the end of the book discusses the characters used in the artwork, the languages they capture, and the cultures they convey.
—The Virginian Pilot
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