Tarni’s Chance (Paul Collins, illus by Jules Ober, Ford St)
In Tarni’s Chance, the world of Paul Collins and Jules Ober’s young protagonist is grey with sadness as her parents argue, and her inner mood is reflected in the monochromatic scenes around her. She copes by retreating inside her ‘bubble’—a psychological safe space she carries with her, represented by a spotlit halo of colour around her. But the bubble isn’t enough to comfort her or help with her sadness and uncertainty after her mother leaves. Tarni goes through her days in the black-and-white photographic tableaus of Ober’s handmade miniatures, until she spots a dog outside her window and is struck by a momentary ray of hope before it disappears and her bubble of colour vanishes entirely, leaving her back in her grey world. But the return of the dog (‘Chance’) and her connection with it brings colour back not just to Tarni but to the entire world around her, obliterating the greys. The tiny figures are slightly rough in a friendly, charming way, and the page spreads conjure a pocket-sized inner-city Melbourne. Collins’ story is minimalist, letting the illustrations speak the subtext of Tarni’s feelings. Though the book is concrete enough for an audience of readers aged five and up, and the story sparse enough to dilute intensity, caution should be taken with the serious ideas of grief and depression. However, the unbridled joy between Tarni and Chance should assuage any significant concerns.
Anica Boulanger-Mashberg is a freelance editor, writer, and reviewer, and has worked as a bookseller at The Hobart Bookshop for over 15 years.
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