Jarvis, a British picture book creator, has a prolific career marked by a penchant for fables, his most notable being ”Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth” which propelled him to international acclaim. This 2016 bestseller, centered around a teeth-brushing crocodile with a fondness for scaring, showcased Jarvis’s characteristic humor, plot twists, and vibrant colors, drawing comparisons to the work of Chris Haughton. While Haughton has carved a niche with a distinct graphical style, Jarvis embraces fluidity, shifting between techniques, styles, and temperaments across his body of work. This adaptability presents both advantages and disadvantages.
His recent foray into the Swedish market began in 2023 with the translation of ”Bobbo och Pip. Utflykten och andra berättelser,” a collection not representative of his finest work, yet demonstrating his willingness to experiment with the picture book format. His newest offering, also featuring Bobbo and Pip, similarly consists of four episodic narratives across 64 pages. These stories delve into the complexities of friendship between the unlikely pair, navigating misunderstandings and minor conflicts in a manner reminiscent of a sitcom tailored for preschoolers.
Visually, Jarvis constructs a gentle world with rounded lines and soft pencil strokes against predominantly white backdrops. This creates a serene atmosphere where bears, birds, badgers, and pigs coexist in everyday scenarios. The narratives focus on the mundane: a trivial argument with blurred origins and conclusions, a shared moment of joy on a branch under a starry sky, and the whimsical flights of fancy spurred by a cup of hot chocolate and a cookie, culminating in the desire for a moon-bouncing trampoline. The overall effect is undeniably sweet, bordering on saccharine.
While the charm is evident, the narratives lack depth. The absence of genuine conflict or universally relatable emotions leaves the reader yearning for more substance. The sharp wit and surprising turns present in ”Alan’s Big, Scary Teeth” are noticeably absent, replaced by a gentle narrative that, while pleasant, fails to fully engage. The gentle, almost pastel-toned visuals further contribute to this sense of lightness, contrasting with the bolder, more graphic style often associated with Jarvis’s work.
The comparison to Chris Haughton resurfaces in this context. While Jarvis’s versatility is commendable, it also means he hasn’t established the same kind of recognizable brand. Haughton’s consistent aesthetic and thematic focus have secured him a distinct place in the picture book landscape. Jarvis’s exploration of various styles, while demonstrating artistic range, may also dilute his impact, making it harder for readers to identify his unique voice. The Bobbo and Pip stories, while charming, lack the distinctive edge that could elevate them beyond pleasant diversions.
The central weakness of the Bobbo and Pip stories lies in their lack of emotional resonance. While the everyday scenarios are relatable, they lack the depth and complexity that would make them truly memorable. The absence of conflict, even minor, diminishes the narrative tension and leaves the reader feeling somewhat detached. The characters, while amiable, are not sufficiently developed to evoke strong empathy. Ultimately, while “Bobbo och Pip. Stjärnorna och andra berättelser” offers a gentle and visually appealing experience, it lacks the dramatic weight and emotional depth that distinguishes truly exceptional picture books. The potential for richer storytelling is evident, particularly given Jarvis’s proven talent, but remains unrealized in this particular offering.
