FELIX
FEELS BETTER
By Rosemary
Wells
Reviewed by
Kenny Brechner
Rosemary Wells, children's book author and illustrator, has produced marvelous work throughout her career. Her second book, Noisy Nora, first published in 1973, has the same sublime interrelation of visual and literary expression, never a word or a flourish too many, that can be found in her most recent work.
When a childrens book author and illustrator establishes an extremely high level of artistry and originality at the outset of her career the most one could reasonable hope for would be a condition of sustained excellence, such as Dr. Suess upheld from curtain to curtain.
In recent years, however, Wells' artwork has shown signs of reaching a new level. In Here Comes Mother Goose, the exquisite use of color, without any loss of her trademark simplicity and depth of expression, was simply breathtaking.
The broad reaching nature of Wells
= subtle changes in sensibility were made apparent by her decision to reissue Noisy Nora in 1999 with fresh illustrations. The new illustrations were neither better nor worse than the old, but her drive to revisit illustrations that had bordered on perfection in the original indicated that she was following the impetus of a dynamic new sensibility, hopefully towards some new standard of personal excellence.Wells' brand new release, Felix Feels Better, is the culmination of the process which has been fermenting in Wells's work during the last few years. It has an unmistakable force to it, a sense of perfection which clears the mind as a good Chianti clears the palette.
Felix is a toddler aged Guinea pig who at bedtime "ate too many chocolate blimpies and stayed up way too late." In the morning Felix feels the effects of his over indulgence. The story follows Felix through his mother's initial home remedy of chamomile tea, prunes and fresh air.
When these fail to bring him round Felix is confronted with a trip to the doctor. "Felix was afraid the Doctor would ask his mama to leave the room. But Doctor Duck did not ask Felix 's mama to leave the room. Doctor Duck let Felix's mama stay with him the whole time."
After being administered some medicine Felix sleeps in the car on the way home. "He didn't wake up until he smelled buttered toast and lemon tea." Feeling a good deal better Felix suggests a trip to the circus, the movies and the funhouse for tomorrow. His mother throws in a picnic in the canoe. "We'll do it all," Felix declares.
The word gestalt, the idea of a whole being greater than the sum of its parts, was made to describe a book such as Felix Feels Better. It is impossible to convey the charm, the humor, the warmth and tenderness conveyed in the illustrations. And the words, as they are read aloud, seem to almost physically accentuate the pleasure of viewing them.
A lifetime of artistry and application was
required to produce Wells' new book. Its pleasures can be experienced by any one
who opens it.
