By Christine Yunn-Yu Sun
Here is a lovely addition to libraries, schools and families seeking books from around the world featuring kids who find their own path.
Adam and His Tuba is written by Žiga X. Gombač and illustrated by Maja Kastelic, two of the most famous children’s book artists from Slovenia. Originally published in Switzerland as “Adam und seine Tuba”, it was presented in English by internationally acclaimed translator Olivia Hellewell.
In clear, gentle style, Gombač tells the story of the awesome Von Trapeze family who are known for their spectacular circus acts. They can breathe file, swallow swords in a single gulp, walk the tightrope in blindfolds, build human pyramids, juggle six clubs while riding a unicycle, and fly out of a cannon with a boom.
Whenever and wherever they perform, “people smile, and wave their arms, and throw flowers”. But there is someone in the family who doesn’t care about all the applause. Introducing Adam, the boy who’s NOT INTERESTED in any of the clever circus tricks. Understandably, the whole family became worried.
Having tried and failed turning Adam into a performer, they came up with all sorts of wild guesses and funny suggestions regarding what the child could, should and probably would do for his life. Eventually, they found a solution:
“Why don’t we ask Adam what he likes doing?”
Then: “Together in their colourful tent, they listened carefully to their youngest family member.”
And that has made all the difference.
The story is masterfully illustrated using a reduced palette of warm sepia colours, creating a
vivid, playful and almost dreamy world of an old-time circus. We see the gold and red stripes of the tent, the pink, flushed cheeks of the performers, the bursts of bright light in contrast with tender, amicable shadows, and the delightful twinkles in the audience’s eyes as they ooh and aah over the extraordinary circus acts.
Not only are the illustrations visually stunning, but the writing is empathetic and endearing, subtly showing us that those who choose the peripheries rather than the limelight still have an important contribution to make.
Just because someone is quiet, reluctant to raise the banner and lead the crowd – it does not mean they lack talent, ambition and/or desire to excel.
It is OK to not necessarily want to take the centre stage and “bask in rapture and thundering applause”. It is OK to trust our own way, in our own pace, to find our own place in the world and the confidence and comfort to connect with others.
Seeing the family in the story acknowledging “All this time we wanted to mould him into our famous circus family instead of listen to him” is heartwarming. Even more wonderful is seeing how Adam and his tuba and the family’s various circus tricks can make a unique combination.
All you need is to be willing to ask and listen, and you’ll be amazed how informative and inspiring – not to mention entertaining and empowering – the answers can be.
