Publication date:
Publisher: An Gúm
ISBN: 9781857911565
Page count: 36
Price: €6.95
Age group: 10–12
Azzi idir dhá stól
by SARAH GARLAND (Author)
SARAH GARLAND (Illustrator)
FIDELMA NÍ GHALLCHÓIR (Translator)
Ó pheann an scríbhneora Sarah Garland a thagann an leabhar grafach seo faoi Azzi, cailín óg atá stoite as a tír dhúchais de bharr cogaidh. Cuirtear iallach ar a teaghlach teitheadh agus a seanmháthair agus a ngiuirléidí beatha a thréigean ina ndiaidh. Dírítear ar an iarracht a dhéanann Azzi déileáil le saol nua i dtír iasachta; scéal faoi fás nua atá léirithe le siombail na bpónairí a thug athair Azzi leis ón garraí sa sean tír. Is scéal gleoite agus dea-inste é seo ach d’fhéadfaí í a cháineadh toisc go bhfuil sé ródhearfach agus go gcuireann sé os comhair an léitheora pictiúr de dheacrachtaí na n-iarrthóir tearmann nach bhfuil réalaíoch nó suntasach do chás imircigh in Éireann. Réitítear dúshláin éagsúla Azzi i mbealach atá ró-éasca agus ní ionann sonraí áirithe, mar shampla an t-aistritheoir scoile lán-aimseartha a cuireadh ar fail di, agus cruachás páistí atá ag iarraidh tearmainn sa tír seo. Is cinnte nach molfaí go léireodh leabhar páistí íomhánna dorcha de chogadh agus imirce agus is léir gur aistriúchán é seo ó scéal nach bhfuil lonnaithe in Éireann ach bheifí fós ag súil le scéal níos réadúla ó leabhar atá molta ag Amnesty International.
Cé go bhfuil cuid de phlota an scéil seo ródhearfach, léiríonn Garland atmaisféar dorcha trína cuid maisiúcháin, go háirithe ó thaobh theitheadh Azzi, a teagascóir Sabeed agus a seanmháthair ó shaol amháin go saol nua. Cuirtear dathanna dorcha agus scáthanna drochthuaracha i gcodarsnacht leis na dathanna geala ina léirítear an chuid eile den scéal agus éiríonn léi faitíos agus éadóchas na gcarachtar a chur in iúl.
Is leabhar suimiúil atá b’fhéidir ródhearfach é Azzi Idir Dhá Stól, a thaitneodh le páistí ó 9-12.
NIALL CALLAN
Sarah Garland’s book focuses on the story of Azzi, a young girl uprooted from her home country by war and her efforts to adapt to a new life in a strange new country. The family is forced to leave behind their beloved grandmother and most of their belongings, but her father takes with him some beans which become a symbol for regrowth in their new home. This is a charming and well told story, however it could be criticised for being too charming and painting a watered-down picture of the difficulties faced by asylum seekers in Ireland. Azzi’s various challenges are too conveniently resolved and details such as the provision of a dedicated school-based translator are at odds with the reality faced by such children in this country. While a children’s book is not expected to give a stark portrayal of war and forced migration and it is acknowledged that this is a translation and not set specifically in Ireland, an age appropriate but realistic story would be expected from a book endorsed by Amnesty International.
Although the plot elements set in the new country may be too sanitised, Garland’s illustrations do capture the darker elements of the story well, particularly the difficult journeys of Azzi, her tutor Sabeed and her grandmother from one life to another. Dark tones and ominous silhouettes are contrasted with the bright colours of the rest of the story and she succeeds in expressing the fear and desperation of the characters.
An interesting if perhaps overly optimistic book, Azzi Idir Dhá Stól will appeal to children aged 9-12.
NIALL CALLAN
Review by
Claire Marie Dunne
This review was published online in
October 2012
