All I can say after finishing Stitches by David Small is wow! Stitches is Small’s graphic memoir and it’s hard to say much about the story without giving things away. David Small was born and raised in Detroit by his radiologist father and his homemaker mother. His mother was born with some health problems and raised by a troubled mother and it affected her for the rest of her life.
David had an extremely difficult and troubling childhood, mainly because of his mother. There is one scene in Stitches that will be particularly disturbing to book lovers. David’s family suppressed things and did a poor job of communicating, especially with the kids, so David discovered things the hard way. I’m amazed that he’s gone on to have such a great life.
I thought Stitches was an amazing book! The story is horrifyingly compelling – just as you think things can’t get any worse, they do – and the illustrations are fantastic. I think having color in some of the illustrations would have improved the book somewhat, but that’s only a minor complaint. The book is great as it is.
David Small is a children’s book author and illustrator. He won the Caldecott Medal in 2001 for So You Want to Be President?. He and his wife live in Michigan. This trailer for Stitches features a lot of illustrations from the book:
I received this book at the SIBA Trade Show.
34 Comments
October 9, 2009 at 7:42 am
It sounds like he had a very difficult life. The book looks very interesting. I have only just started to read graphic books, so this might be a good one to read.
October 9, 2009 at 7:47 am
Sounds like an interesting memoir. I really enjoy reading about how a person has responded to adversity. I haven’t read too many of the illustrated books, but the format is a nice change of pace.
October 9, 2009 at 8:02 am
I saw the “preview” of this book at BEA! I’ve been dying to read it ever since. I’m going to have to move it up the pile!
October 9, 2009 at 8:21 am
I knew I wanted to read this — I have an ARC from BEA and now I know I have to read this NOW. Excellent review and powerful trailer.
October 9, 2009 at 8:27 am
Great review! I haven’t read any graphic novels in a while, but I love the quality of the illustrations as much as the writing.
October 9, 2009 at 8:45 am
Awesome, I just got this book from Stacy and I’m so glad to know you liked it
October 9, 2009 at 8:54 am
I recently heard about this book and added it to my ridiculously huge TBR list. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
October 9, 2009 at 9:03 am
I enjoyed this too, ny first graphic memoir.
October 9, 2009 at 9:28 am
I’ve been aching to read this one!!
October 9, 2009 at 10:53 am
I just saw this one recently in my local bookstore and added it to my wish list. I’m glad to hear it’s so good!
October 9, 2009 at 11:21 am
Excellent review and a moving video. Seeing the video helps me to see that graphic novels are not to be avoided. It looks like reading art.
October 9, 2009 at 11:58 am
I’ve never heard of this one. Sounds good-great review as usual.
October 9, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Wow is right. That trailer is haunting, the illustrations are haunting. How can this guy be normal? I’m going to add this to my eveer-growing list of graphic novels I will read someday.
October 9, 2009 at 1:02 pm
I have only recently discovered graphic novels and memoirs. This one sounds like a must-read. Thanks for your review!
October 9, 2009 at 1:43 pm
This was in the Editor’s Buzz panel a BEA; looking forward to reading it.
October 9, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I haven’t read any graphic novels yet, but this one does look really intriguing.
October 9, 2009 at 2:07 pm
This sounds like an AMAZING book!
October 9, 2009 at 2:30 pm
I am discovering that I really enjoy reading memoirs in graphic novel format. I will have to look for this one. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Kathy!
October 9, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Oh no, a book death scene? I am becoming a fan of graphic novels and how interesting that a memoir was written as one. Great review.
October 9, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Sounds like a fascinating memoir. I read his President book a while ago with my daughter.
October 9, 2009 at 5:14 pm
It is always so wonderful when someone is able to transcend a troubled past like this – this one sounds like a good read!
October 9, 2009 at 7:53 pm
I love memoirs that are “horrifyingly compelling.”
October 10, 2009 at 9:50 am
Love the illustrations in the trailer. Interesting that Hitchcock inspired him.
October 10, 2009 at 12:27 pm
This one sounds (and looks) like a fantastic read!
October 10, 2009 at 1:50 pm
The only graphic novels I have seen are when my son Tween read the “Bone” series – this looks so different – makes me wonder if I might like it.
October 10, 2009 at 7:28 pm
I just came back to watch the book trailer and now I want to read this book more than ever! It sounds fascinating.
October 11, 2009 at 5:23 am
This sounds really good! I have never heard of it before. Thanks for the review!
October 11, 2009 at 11:56 am
Awesome! I will definitely check this one out, I’m always on the lookout for new graphic novels to read.
October 11, 2009 at 6:59 pm
If all you can say is WOW after a book, I’m not sure that you need to say much else.
October 12, 2009 at 5:12 am
This one sounds good! I don’t usually read graphic novels but when I do one day, I’d definitely look this one up.
October 12, 2009 at 12:25 pm
I haven’t read many graphic novels, but the ones I tend to go for are the autobiographical ones. I have a few on my shelf that sound similar to this book. You make the plot sound very intriguing. Glad you enjoyed it so much!
October 12, 2009 at 10:58 pm
I’ve seen this at the bookstore, and it looks great! I’m glad you enjoyed it, for sure I’ll read it too!
October 15, 2009 at 1:37 pm
You’ve certainly made me curious! That cover is creepy.
October 22, 2009 at 1:36 am
Catching up on my blog reading. I somehow totally missed the hype for this one at BEA. After the National Book Award win this one is on my radar. I’ve only heard great things about it.