Los Abuelos de Chema Heras

Abstract

In this paper we study the picture book Avós, by Chema Heras and Rosa Osuna, published by Kalandraka Publishing House in 2002 and awarded with the Premi Llibreter 2003. We analyze the characteristics that define it as a picture book and the complementary perspective adopted by both artists. We pay special attention to the textual and illustrative strategies that assemble a creative work with multiple perceptive possibilities and in which several aspects are treated with tenderness, humor and great sensibility: the figure of the grandparents, the perception of the passing of time and the deconstruction of some aspects of the established social system. Specially that social system built on aesthetical values and gender roles, as well as the formal techniques that make it a narrative text of strongly poetic tone which appears to be really appropriate to sensitize the young children in respect to the elders and their dimension as people who, in spite of the years, keep the delusion of being happy.