The House Baba Built
by Ed Young, 2011
Ed Young is a prolific children's book illustrator and author. You may recognize him as the author and illustrator of
Lon Po Po. Ed is originally from China, but his family had to move to Shanghai during the turmoil of World War II. Several years ago, he visited his home in Shanghai and began writing his memories into a journal. He turned those memories into this book, which he wrote and illustrated to tell the story of his childhood in Shanghai.
Ed's father, called Baba, is a gracious man who looked to make the best in situations. When he couldn't afford land in Shanghai, he made a deal to build a fantastic home which he would give to the landowner after 20 years. The story and illustrations give insight into this amazing home, and I was delighted to find a floorplan of the house in the back of the book. Not only was the house enormous and beautiful, but it was also built to protect Baba's family from possible bombs in the war. Baba welcomed others in to the home, and was always happy to keep others safe.
The illustrations in this book are amazing. They are made of mixed-media collage, and you will want to reach out and touch some of the pictures because they have such texture.
