Every wound scabs over

Gökhan Yavuz DEMİR

People can be wounded at any age. Yet, wounds are often thought of as unique to children. Perhaps this is because wounds in adulthood are not as visible as those of childhood. Yet, scars and injuries, from open wounds to scabs, are part of the essence of being a child. Even the most well-behaved and well-adjusted child is always susceptible to a wound. We are wounded as children, and as we grow older, we learn to live with our wounds. Because being wounded is part of life, and our wounds are an integral part of our identities.

Pepper and Me, by the 52-year-old Italian illustrator and writer Beatrice Alemagna, who is my age and was translated into Turkish by Tuğçe Özdeniz, tells the story of a little girl who encounters a wound for the first time in her life and learns to live with it. In fact, she not only tells it but also illustrates it magnificently.

Perhaps it's worth noting upfront that Alemagna's drawings not only deepen the story, but are so captivating that they sometimes overshadow it. As we all know, in a book aimed at ages six and up, the vivid and eye-catching illustrations are as crucial as the story itself. This quality explains why the book has received so many awards. Alemagna certainly imprints her story on your mind with colors as vibrant as spring.

When a little girl falls on the street and bleeds her knee, everyone, especially her father and mother, knows that the wound will scab over and heal quickly. But sometimes there's a big difference between knowing something and experiencing and understanding it. Yes, every wound scabs over and heals, but that doesn't stop the little girl from worrying. Especially when the scab remains and continues to bother her as the days go by.

It's at this point that Alemagna penetrates a child's inner world, and the protagonist, a little girl, names the wound on her knee "Pepper" and begins talking to it. From there, the book indulges the reader with masterful, childish humor. Furthermore, a female dog, "Cici," an essential part of any good book, makes a colorful entrance into the story in the final pages.

Pepper and Me, a sweet story about a little girl's recovery from a wound, is poised to herald the arrival of summer with its vibrant colors and vibrant scenes.