Shades of radiant gold and burnished red gently gleam from the inspiring pages of Adam and His Tuba, a mellifluous Slovenian import. The harmonious collaboration from author Žiga X. Gombač, credited with almost 200 books, songs and comics, and artist Maja Kastelic, a former fresco restorer and now award-winning illustrator, benefits from Oliva Hellewell's smooth English translation.
The multi-generational Von Trapeze circus family has been traveling the world with their red-and-white-striped tent, showcasing the "many incredible things" its members can do. Grandma Antonia breathes fire, Grandpa Angus swallows swords and twins Aria and Alea juggle while, respectively, unicycling and getting fired out of a cannon. Together they all "bask in rapture and applause" at performance's end--except for the youngest Von Trapeze, Adam, who can't be coaxed, trained or convinced to enter the limelight. Of course, no one thought to ask what Adam wanted... until someone finally did. Adam and his tuba, they quickly learn, might offer the perfect accompaniment to the show.
Gombač's encouraging text doesn't always avoid the didactic, but his heartfelt support of individual difference is evident on every page, whether celebrating each of the Von Trapezes' talents or cleverly building up the inevitable reveal of Adam's impressive ability. Kastelic's art places Gombač's story in a cheerfully historic setting and augments the text with whimsical splendor. Her insightful, empathic expressions are particularly beguiling. Adam's closed-eye, head-tilted, pink-cheeked contentment while playing his tuba just might be satisfaction goals for every reader. --Terry Hong, BookDragon