The Three Brothers

Marie-Louise Gay is a much-loved, sublimely talented, award-winning Canadian illustrator and author. The illustrations in The Three Brothers combine all the colour, detail, playfulness, imagination, and “quirkiness” one has come to expect in her artwork. The Three Brothers is about Finn, Leo, and Ooley, and their expedition into the forest one snowy morning. The boys’ grandfather has told them the forest once abounded with wildlife. The absence of animals causes the brothers distress. Fueled by the sandwiches they “wolfed down” in a “bear cave” hollowed-out tree trunk, the brothers decide to repopulate the forest with animals they make from snow.

Gay’s illustrations were rendered in watercolour, pencil, coloured pencils, water-soluble wax crayons, and opaque white ink. Although there are splashes of reds and yellows, the colour palette is mostly a cool one befitting the winter forest setting. The dominant cool soft blues and greens help the reader to feel almost as if she or he is a fourth member of the expedition team.

While The Three Brothers contains pointed commentary on issues such as climate-change and conservation, it also promotes play, creativity, and imagination. It is a simple, optimistic story that is beautifully illustrated. It will further enhance Gay’s already-lofty standing in the world of Canadian children’s literature. Young readers will enjoy the artwork and storytelling. Older readers will appreciate the conservation message. Readers young and old will love the hope-filled, wordless final double-page spread.