Garmann's Summer Book

This unique, award-winning picture book delves into the mind of a young boy who is afraid of starting school.

Summer is nearly over. The old aunts have come to visit, and autumn is in the air. Everything is ready for Garmann’s first day of school, but he is still nervous. And he can’t believe that he hasn’t lost a single tooth yet, despite his best efforts!

Stian Hole has created a memorable and endearing character in Garmann, whose musings about fear and courage, life and death, beginnings and endings, help him understand that everyone is scared of something.

Published in ten languages, Garmann’s Summer was the recipient of the 2007 BolognaRagazzi Award, one of the most prestigious international prizes for excellence in children’s book publishing, awarded each year in conjunction with the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.

Children's Literature

As autumn approaches, young Garmann thinks about his three old aunts. They arrive for a few days every summer, "from another time." They "bring rheumatism, hernias, and almond tart," along with another knitted hat with pom-pom. Meanwhile, he is a bit frightened about starting first grade, particularly since he hasn't lost any teeth yet. His aunts have lost all of theirs. Each aunt tells Garmann her experience with fear; even his dad and mother are afraid of something. His aunts leave; summer is over "[a]nd Garmann is scared." But perhaps he will be able to face school knowing he is not alone. Hole relies heavily on photographs to create intriguing surreal collages that show the perceptions of this youngster.For example, when Auntie Ruth expresses concern about using a wheeled walker, Garmann offers her his skateboard. His vision of her riding it over the cityscape is just one of the comic pictures. Other illustrations show lots of winged insects, fanciful flowers, and more—all of the items are naturalistic, but they are assembled in puzzling juxtapositions. The story may appeal more to adults than children, but the illustrations should intrigue everyone. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz