“”When two friends at odds in a wintry place stand back to back and embark on their paces, one keeps walking, into the warm colorful, collegial spring of Oliveira’s dazzling picture book debut.” —The New York Times Book Review
“This Portuguese import contemplates war and peace by upending a planned duel.
Two men decide to settle their disagreements by dueling. In a barren landscape, each begins the 100-pace walk away from the other, weapon in hand. Yet one, who narrates, simply walks on. He ambles through increasingly vibrant vistas in a pulsing city, witnessing a parade, a circus, and a puppet show. Skin tones, where discernible in the tiny figures, appear pale. With each page turn, the errant duelist encounters fewer people and more animals. In increasingly bucolic scenes, he trades his pistol for a walking stick. Narration—its meaning at times elusive—takes the form of a letter written to his dueling partner, the “Esteemed Mr Rodin Rostov.” Oliveira’s Klee-esque illustrations are stunning. Monochromatic early scenes metamorphose in successive palette shifts: saturated primary colors accented by neutrals for the cityscapes, then greens and ochers as the narrator treks through a village and a pasture. When he ponders his fate, constellations frame images of animals in an ink-blue sky. Over land and water, in fair weather and rain, he finally descends a mountain into a lush, flower-filled meadow. There, he pens his missive, posting it in his top hat. His note implores his friend to “put down your weapons and come on over / to see me, would you?” A migrating white bird takes up the envelope, even as the narrator himself seemingly metamorphoses, achieving unity with nature. Subtly beautiful, with a message of peace. (Picture book. 4-7)” —Kirkus
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