Review: Milimbo

How often do you run across a book that needs no words to explain itself? Well, the books produced by Milimbo clearly is a rarity. The Spain-based small publisher produces books that are word-less for kids (and big children); and their pages are lined with beautiful, yet simple graphics that tell time-tested tales.

With clean, geometrical lines that are eloquently spread across the pages to form patterns and myriad shapes, one’s imagination is stoked to figure out the story on their own. The color palette is restrained, and yet tells plenty – bringing to each story their own atmosphere and lots of character. In their own words; “Reading becomes a game that stimulates the imagination.”

“Y recuerda …” is a text-less interpretation of the tale of “Little Red Riding Hood”, printed on beautiful, tough cardboard for little ones (and adults to thumb through). Note the colors used and the stripped down storytelling. I find myself looking at the images and deciphering what is happening at the moment – which is opposite of what picture books makes us do – we look at text first, and then over on the picture to reaffirm what we see in our minds. With Milimbo’s books, there’s no text, and plenty of ways to interpret a picture, so your mind is the one that conveys what you see into text.

Hansel and Gretel, done in a sombre palette of greys and blacks is another classic redone by Milimbo that is effective; especially in conveying the hopelessness of the children who was abandoned in the forest by their parents.

Of the books from Milimbo, “La luna sabe a pescao” is a picture book that it’s reads like a poem, or a play — transforming things and objects in a different context to stimulate the mind of children.

The world needs more books like these — where everyone can interpret the story according to what they see. It’s a beautiful concept that’s brilliantly executed by Milimbo, and I hope to see more from them. You can head over to their website to purchase a copy of the books. {See more of their work on the Milimbo blog — note that they’re all in Spanish though!}