Meeselphe by Claude Ponti

Meeselphe by Claude Ponti. Elsewhere Editions, c2019, 2024. 9781953861764






Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4



Format : Hardcover picture book



What did you like about the book: Fans of Seussical nonsense or Sendak’s art style will find comfort in Claude Ponti’s whimsical fable-worlds. The gift is in their completeness. The action picks right up – Meeselphe decides to venture out of her treetop for an exploration. The strange inhabitants she meets seem to be either helpful, like a giant, bipedal Roving-Eye, or mean gatekeepers with villainous names, like Saccharose and Cal Trigulus. They keep calling Meeselphe names (“There you are Horrid-Hair!”) or baring her way with riddles. Our hero has plenty of pluck, though, and turns the tables on them to return home with a new friend.



Ponti was born in 1948 in Lunéville in northeastern France. He is a prolific author with works translated in over a dozen languages. This is a feat for him, but for his translators as well. Reimagining semiotic names (Bloboon, Mrs. Featherbrain, Tufted Rainbow Coykoi) or rich descriptions of landscapes (“mouthwatering malted meadow”) or action (“confusifiying”) would be difficult. The effect is magnificent, though! 



Ponti’s project feels informed by an era of post-war literature trying to imagine new possibilities in the wake of trauma. It’s a universal experience that will resonate with readers big and small.  The page spread is landscape format, and the pastel illustrations, which Ponti will sometimes digitally enhance, are presented in panels, like triptychs in a surrealist slideshow. Whether it is a dream or simply a symbolic representation of an incomprehensible world is moot– Meeselphe’s lessons of exploration and generosity explain that we are uniquely a part of this strange place.



Anything you didn’t like about it? Nothing.



To whom would you recommend this book? Young fantasy readers.



Who should buy this book? Librarians who are looking for books in translation.



Where would you shelve it? Picture books



Should we (librarians/readers) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? This is a prolific children’s book writer at the top of his game, and it’s worth it if you’re feeling nostalgic for a golden era art style. 



Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City and State: Luke Steere, Wilson Middle School, Natick, MA



Date of review: April 19, 2024