Picture Book Review - Something Else

Visual Texts – Something Else by Kathryn Cave Illustrations by Chris Riddell

Somebody Else is the name of the little blue fictitious creature that lives on a windy hill. The other animals have ostracised him, as he is different and not like the rest of them. He tries to be like them by copying their actions, but they are not interested and they tell him he does not belong with them. Forlorn and dejected, Somebody Else goes back to his house. A new strange creature knocks on his door and asks if he can live with him. At first, Somebody Else rejects the creature as he is strange looking and he doesn’t know him. As the creature sadly walks away, Somebody Else realises that the differences don’t matter and they become friends, painting and playing games. One day a young boy comes to live with them and although they perceive him to be ‘weird’ looking, they readily accept him as their friend.
Unlike other picture books, it is interesting that the main character is not given a specific name but referred to as Something Else the name given to him by the other animals. Every page begins with a big capital letter and the sentences are short mostly printed underneath the pictures. In order to highlight the text especially on pages with a dark background with lots of detail, the text is framed in a white box. The text is short and dialogue is used to emphasis the point being made, as the animals reject Something Else they say, “You’re not like us. You’re something else.” The text is also used to reinforce a point by using capitals. As Something Else runs after the new creature to convince him to come back he acknowledges the differences in them but also that is doesn’t matter, “You’re not like me, BUT I DON’T MIND.” By emphasising the text in capitals, Cave is conveying the main message in her book, being different is not a reason to exclude people or reject them.
The pictures are very powerful in the book and several subtle techniques are used to convey the message. The main character Something Else is a simple dark blue colour. He is the same colour as his house and the windy hill where he resides. The simplicity of his colour and his soft adorable facial expressions immediately make the reader feel sympathy for him. In contrast, the other animals are shown with clothes on and trainers and some even wear glasses, which creates a more human persona. When Somebody Else tries to join in with the animals he is shown in pictures all alone trying to play tennis, paint and eat. The pictures are then repeated showing the other animals and their rejection of him as he tries to join in. The most striking picture is where all the animals are sat underneath the shade of a tree and Somebody else is drawn outside of the shade obviously excluded from the group. The new creature is also a fictional character again drawn in simple colours of orange with yellow hair and is very different to Somebody Else with a pointed hooked nose and paws and flippers. Again a very expressive face is used to highlight emotions of dejection and later happiness.
The use of a mirror is also important to convey the confusion that Somebody Else goes through. At the beginning, Somebody Else is shown looking in the mirror he sees all the differences that all the animals point out to him. As the new creatures is initially rejected by Somebody Else both characters and reflected in the mirror, the new creature looking sad and upset with his reflection and Somebody Else shown in the background also looking confused. This echoes back to the initial mirror image and it is only when Somebody Else looks again at his own image that he realises his mistake. It is obvious to the reader that Somebody Else has looked at the new creature exactly the same way the animals viewed him different and therefore excluded him. The repeated image of the mirror reflection is used to show the thought process of Somebody Else as he is forced to reflect on his behaviour and the behaviour of the other animals.
Another powerful technique used is repetition. Somebody Else and the new creature are then shown playing, painting and happily getting along with each other despite their differences.
The book conveys a very important message about social integration. Children too can be very hurtful and quick to exclude those they deem to be different. The book teaches children that despite obvious differences, they can learn to be accepting of each other and get along. The book also shows the cruel effects of ostracising children based on their differences and how hurtful such actions can be. Even Somebody Else the main character of the book is guilty of initially rejection his new friend for being different, despite being excluded by the other animals. The story concludes by the arrival of the little boy the first human in the book. Somebody else and the creature still find the boy “weird-looking” but quickly include him as their friend and make room for him in the sofa.
Whilst the pictures are used to convey the emotions that run through the book, the text is used to reinforce the message of the book and highlight the important lessons. Both the text and visual images work well together and tell the story simultaneously. The book is bright and colourful, and tells a story of friendship and the importance of embracing those differences and not allowing them to effect our friendships.

Nice stuff - it's good reading these reviews - makes me want to read all the books! Perhaps we should all bring them in?