Walking up the stairs to the Children’s Department this morning, I looked up and there was this fabulous looking book cover. Just bright and which was opening (mostly) my not yet awake eyes. I stood precariously on the high metal staircase to take a photo of how cool it looked sitting there. Waiting for a reader. I then finished up those stairs to place in my hand, that teasing copy of The Posey Ring: A Love Story by Bob Graham.
The story itself feels almost like a translation (from the Scandinavian area or German) but is not. What I mean is, the story does not always flow smoothly and that tends to be what translations feel like to me. English feels non-organic to the writer. Not to say they are bad books or stories, but there is a different feel to the story in my mind.
Spoiler: the story starts in the middle. Graham does not explain why the Rider in Ireland throws away the ring that says that love is forever. The ring, somehow, stays shiny and perfect through the years after being grown into a tree after it tangles with an acorn, was on a deer hoof, was in the ocean, in multiple fish…. to find its way to 1960s New York and a new set of lovers.
The illustrations are a treat, however. If you look closely the glowing ring can be spotted in, on or wherever its adventure has taken it. (I liked the fisherman net pulling up the lump of grey with that one piece of yellow). A delightful mixture of colors and details grace the page and they are a story within themselves.
This might not be a good read for a young child, but for the child starting to leave the picture book world and starting to read on their own, but still want a bed time story, this could work. Plus, I think it would make a fabulous gift for a wedding or anniversary gift.