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Blexbolex
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Ballad Board book – Picture Book, November 5, 2013

by Blexbolex (Creator)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 43 ratings
See all formats and editions
Ballad is a story, and like all great stories it deepens with each retelling.
Ballad builds over seven sequences. The first has three images: school, path, home. The next builds upon the first, giving us: school, street, path, forest, home. The next five sequences take up this story, but with new words and images that nearly double the previous sequence. Here a child encounters the world as he returns home from school, and we see his small world become enormous. This story is as old as the world. It happens every day.
Blexbolex is a bold, highly talented graphic artist. In addition to creating comics, he's been internationally acclaimed for Seasons, selected as a 2012 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year; and People.
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  1. Reading age
    4 years and up
  2. Print length
    280 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool and up
  5. Dimensions
    5.4 x 1.2 x 7 inches
  6. Publisher
    Enchanted Lion
  7. Publication date
    November 5, 2013
  8. ISBN-10
    159270137X
  9. ISBN-13
    978-1592701377
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

ANew York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of 2013
Brainpickings' Top 13 Children's, Illustrated, and Picture Books of 2013
★"As a story, it's challenging, mysterious, and even obscure. As an object and a piece of bookmaking, it's a work of art." --Publishers Weekly, STARRED REVIEW
"This book is unlike anything I've ever seen before...It's a puzzle, a fairy tale, an adventure, a love story, made with words and pictures used in a new, utterly beguiling way. The silk-screened images, made with unbelievable fluorescent ink, will draw you in and will leave you breathless till the end." --Brian Selznick, author of The Invention of Hugo Cabret
"The best, most enchanting stories live somewhere between the creative nourishment of our daydreams and the dark allure of our nightmares. That's exactly where beloved French graphic artist Blexbolex transports us in Ballad (public library)--his exquisite and enthralling follow-up to People, one of the best illustrated books of 2011, and Seasons." --Brain Pickings

"When language is altered or disintegrates, how do we tell stories? In this spellbinding fairy tale, French artist Blexbolex imagines a fantasy town--each page presents a gothic snapshot of a single plot point, each with infinite interpretations. The town is turned (literally) upside down as a witch casts cruel spells, bandits kidnap a queen, demons dance in the night, and a stranger embarks on a perilously heroic quest. The true genius is in the details, as omens foreshadow victories and nuanced words dredge up evocative emotions--and certain objects play an integral part in the convergence of the plot. While the word choices are pivotal, it is the skill presented in the silkscreen printings that enliven this thrilling, magical adventure. Recommended for both detailed-oriented children and adults."--ForeWord Reviews "Pictured in a long spate of silkscreen tableaux bound up in a small, bricklike volume, a bored child's daydream zigzags its way into an increasingly wild fantasy adventure . . . The delicious temptation to take an active role in the surreal adventure by adding details or even whole subplots will be hard to resist." --Kirkus Reviews
"An intriguing book--one to unravel, decode, and ponder in successive re-readings." --The Horn Book

"a ballad that will make the heart soar and make you believe in everything nice. It is also never the same story twice. You will know what I mean when you actually start reading it. There are hidden scenes and it is definitely not a normal reading experience. I think it will appeal to all parents and children and you must go for it." --The Hungry Reader

About the Author

Blexbolex is a bold and highly talented graphic artist. In addition to creating numerous comics, he has been internationally acclaimed for his books Seasons, which was selected as a 2012 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year, and People,which received the prestigious Goldene Letter Award in 2009 for "Best Book Design throughout the World."

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Enchanted Lion (November 5, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Board book ‏ : ‎ 280 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 159270137X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1592701377
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 4 years and up
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool and up
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.4 x 1.2 x 7 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 43 ratings

About the author

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Blexbolex

Blexbolex

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Born in France in 1966, Blexbolex entered art school with the intention of becoming a painter, but left having discovered his talents as a silk-screen artist. He works both as an illustrator and a comic book artist. His work, which is inspired by vintage design, mixes old printing methods with new interpretations and techniques. An illustrator of graphic genius, he received the prestigious Golden Letter Award in 2009 for best book design throughout the world.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
4.3 out of 5
43 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Paige Turner
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, Mind-expanding, Lovely
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2013
Verified Purchase
This lovely little hardback book is transcendent.

The author writes in a deceptively simple style, with a few words per page and lovely drawings reminiscent of Saul Bass' "Henri Goes To Paris." Each page is a work of art in itself. The typography, as seen on the cover, goes throughout the book and is inspiring.

The narrative is simple, yet mind-expanding. Little kids will learn vocabulary and be entranced by the pictures. Older kids will marvel at the imagination of the lead character. Adults who have long left the days of simply walking to school and dreaming will momentarily be drawn back into that world, a world lost to them now, but magical and still there, somewhere, in the deep recesses of their minds.

This would be a perfect gift for anyone in your life with small children. (Or adults)
9 people found this helpful
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Gutenberg Girl
5.0 out of 5 stars Lovely art piece
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2014
Verified Purchase
I gave this book as a gift to an artist friend who enjoys children's books. She found it beautiful and intriguing, as did I. It is well constructed, with heavy paper and a good binding.

The illustration and font styles shown on the cover carry throughout the book, and the text is much more a poetic exploratory journey than a story. If given to a child, this would I think be best as a book to share with an adult than to read alone.
2 people found this helpful
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S. Heggestad
5.0 out of 5 stars Mesmerizing.
Reviewed in the United States on January 25, 2014
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By far the biggest (page-wise) book I've ever purchased for my pre-schooler. It seems a little daunting, at first, but once immersed in the story, it's easy to breeze through the pages, lost in an imaginative fairy-tale, of sorts. I highly recommend to anyone who is an artist, designer, writer, philosopher, or creative of any type. Definitely fun for children with big imaginations. And it's beautiful, and wonderful to touch, to boot!
3 people found this helpful
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Linda Binding
3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting pictures
Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2022
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Not sure why it was so highly rated..
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Antonio Pereira
5.0 out of 5 stars ... Propp all rolled into one - and it's a good spliff of sorts
Reviewed in the United States on January 13, 2017
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This is Oulipo and Propp all rolled into one - and it's a good spliff of sorts, sending you in a daze that's also a maze and that's going to make you see yourself as a young person, discovering the world of reading, fantasy, legend - all over again. Incredibly well done, a feat, and a feast as well.
One person found this helpful
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caude or claude
4.0 out of 5 stars Very high concept, not for young kids.
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2017
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Not really a children's book, though it is beautiful and in line with other works from Blexbolex. Would be great for teens or adults interested in art or creative writing.
2 people found this helpful
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edith m pitts
1.0 out of 5 stars Good review in daily paper
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2014
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but very disappointed in actual book. Not much of a story...........and the art didn't appeal to me. You can't always depend on the reviewer...............(even this one)
One person found this helpful
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Enrique Ivern
5.0 out of 5 stars A good experience.
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2016
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This is not a book to read. Rather, it's to enjoy and try your imagination, to play with your child guessing what is going to happen next, to look for details in your way to school if you walk with him/her if you have the chance. Wonderful illustrations, and good workmanship in the printing.
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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jeremiah lephrog
5.0 out of 5 stars A fantastic and challenging kid's book
Reviewed in Canada on October 1, 2020
Verified Purchase
Apart from being a touch long for my 3.5 year old (he fell asleep before the end even though he was totally into it), it's a fantastic book we both love to read. It's great that there's a narrative but the structure is challenging and prompts you & your kid to evaluate and question what is happening and why. Makes for an engaging story time. And it's truly beautiful.
One person found this helpful
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Emma iskowitz
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful picture book that isn’t just for young children
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 3, 2018
Verified Purchase
I ordered this as a gift for my 15 year old sister who loves to write and illustrate her own stories. I was worried it would be a bit young for her, but she really enjoyed it and said it wasn’t too young at all. It’s a really beautiful book that defies categorization, and a really nice gift to young readers and artists regardless of age. We need more interdisciplinary books like this in the world.
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Gomathi Jayaraman
1.0 out of 5 stars I had to get rid off the book.... such a horrible quality paper
Reviewed in India on November 14, 2016
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Absolutely horrible quality of printing paper... do not be carried away by the illustrations...the illustrations are in a faded ink not the glossy pages one usually expects in a picture book... had to return the book...
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Cliente Amazon
5.0 out of 5 stars 5/5
Reviewed in Spain on November 12, 2015
Verified Purchase
Gorgeous printing and such a clever idea for a book. The journey from the school to home becomes more and more complicated with each retelling of the story. I love how the typography mirrors what happens in the book. Great for reading aloud.
One person found this helpful
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david
5.0 out of 5 stars Magnifico
Reviewed in Italy on February 13, 2015
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Bellissimo libro di Blexbolex (illustratore che adoro). Lo svolgimento del racconto è originalissimo e si presta a più interpretazioni. È un libro per raffinati cultori (e appassionati) di illustrazione.
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