Republic of China
(Taiwan) (Romanization
according to international Pinyin norms)
20
Peng, Yi (text)
Cai, Jiyu (illus.)
Baba-guaishou Guaishou-Baba (Father Monster, Monster Father)
Taibei : Xiaolu-Wenhua-Shiye-Gufen-Youxiangongsi, 2002. – 91 p.
(Xiaolu-Ertong-Chengzhang-Xiaoshuo ; GF 13)
ISBN 957-8211-83-x
Father – Son – Death – Grief
On Shuihai’s sixth birthday, his mother receives the message that his father
has died in an accident. The little boy is absolutely devastated and thinks
about him all the time. One day, lonesome Shuihai finds a monster in his
bathtub that bears a strong resemblance to his father because of the tender
look in its eyes. Apart from that, the monster is fond of tickling Shuihai
with its beard, one of Shuihai’s father’s favourite jokes. Last but not
least, the creature enjoys singing a song while taking a shower – exactly
like his father, the »bathtub singer«! Very skilfully, the author combines
real and fantasy elements and expresses the boy’s grief and longing in
comprehensible pictures. (8+)