“YEAR OF THE JUNGLE,” by Suzanne Collins, illustrated by James Proimos, Scholastic, $17.99 (ages 4-8)
When Suzie’s dad has to “go to something called a war in a place called Viet Nam,” she is worried about the changes in her family. He’s no longer around to share favorite Ogden Nash poems, and holidays come and go without him. She wonders about the explosions and the soldiers lying on the ground that she sees on the TV news.
“Year of the Jungle” is an autobiographical glimpse of Hunger Games author Suzanne Collins’ memories and her confusion about war as a child. The naïve notion that the foreign jungle is like her beloved "George of the Jungle" cartoons morphs to a dreaded fear that her father is indeed in danger. His absence during her birthday and his postcards no longer arriving only support her childlike anxiety.
A year becomes a long time: “Sometimes it’s hard to remember what my dad looks like.”
The artist has cleverly shown the impact and worry with three dark double-page spreads in scenes portraying jungle, bad dreams, weaponry and fighting. But then, “Suddenly my dad’s home.”
“Year of the Jungle” has a simple story line with a sophisticated message: "Some things have changed, but some things will always be the same.”
Because so few books are available about children in Suzie’s situation, “Year of the Jungle” may provide reassurance and comfort for those experiencing separation of any kind.
Email: marilousorensen@ymail.com