Children’s book embraces life, family issues

This month’s book buzz is Cress Watercress, by Gregory Maguire and illustrated by David Litchfield.

Readers may recognize this author from his book, Wicked. Even though this is a book written for a younger audience, adults will certainly find it entertaining. The colour-saturated digital illustrations add a nice touch and make this a keepsake book to read again and again.

Cress is a young rabbit whose father has gone missing. She, her mother, and baby brother Kip are left to fend for themselves. Kip has trouble breathing, and so Mama must spend much of her time out looking for ingredients for her special tea to help him breathe. Thus begins the tale of a small family who must move from their cozy home to a run-down old tree apartment called the Broken Arms.

The neighbourhood is not as safe as their old one: danger lurks in the form of an old snake called the Final Drainpipe. There’s also a rather unpleasant skunk named Agatha Cabbage, a run-away chicken called Fricassee Sunday, and a potential rabbit friend named Nasty. Maguire is incredibly talented at naming characters who live up to their names.

There are many plot twists, daring adventures, mysteries and danger. Older elementary children will love Cress’s spunk and bravery; she’s a rabbit to be admired. Children will relate to her desire for a friend, how she misses her father and her love for family. Full of whimsy, wit and tension, the story is, in the end, all about family. Though the constant threat of the Final Drainpipe hangs over the story like a thin dark cloud, children know that life has moments of darkness.

As in all good children’s books, there is hope. Helping your fellow creature and being a good rabbit are the real messages here, and kids will understand that.