Burma Chronicles by Guy DeLisle

Burma Chronicles by Guy DeLisle

Drawn and Quarterly, Montreal, Quebec,2008

This wonderful graphic travelogue tells the story of Delisle's trip to Burma, also know as Myanmar. Delisle's wife works for Medecins Sans Frontieres, (Doctors Without Borders) and she, Delisle and their son, Louis, are stationed in Burma for a year.

DeLisle uses simple black, white and gray scale drawings to tell a whimsical tale that includes some cultural and political insight into this beautiful, troubled country. He shares his time with Louis's playgroup and his experiences teaching an animation class. There are also stories of his travels into the countryside with the MSF team. I loved the simple storytelling style and the clear, clean images.

This is DeLisle's third book after Shenzhen: A Travelogue from China and Pyongyang: A Journey in North Korea. I intend to read both of them as soon as I can get them from my library!

Slow Storm by Danica Novgorodoff

Slow Storm by Danica Novgorodoff

First Second, New York & London 2008

A beautifully illustrated story of two young people, a illegal immigrant from Mexico and a women bullied and harassed by her brother and co-workers. Through a series of incidents they meet and spend time together.

The storm, a mix of thunder, lightening and tornadoes, brews around them and in them. The landscape, the people and animals are rendered in stunning ink and water color .

There is not much dialogue, it is not needed. Novgorodoff uses her art to tell this story, and I loved it. It is sad, kind and compassionate. Another fine title from First Second.