A wall in the middle of the book

A wall separates the two sides of the book. But what happens when danger appears on the supposedly safe side?

When a brick falls from the wall, a cheerful knight arrives from the back to repair it. On the other side of the wall, some angry animals, a rhinoceros, a tiger and a gorilla, come to investigate the situation. The knight informs the readers that there is safety on his side. But little by little the book's illustrations reveal another reality.

Author and illustrator John Agee's play between images and text challenges readers to question the narrator's honesty. A book that carries a timeless and timely message and shows us that out of fear of external threats, we often fail to see those that come from within.

Book distinctions:

• Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2018
• Boston Globe Best Children's Books 2018
• Chicago Tribune Best Children's Books of 2018
• People Magazine Best Gift Books for Kids 2018
• CCBC Choices List 2019
• BOLOGNARAGAZZI AWARD 2020. The BolognaRagazzi Awards were established in 1996 and are considered one of the most prestigious international awards a children's book can receive. They aim to bring together the most outstanding illustrated children's books each year, while their awards honor the best productions based on illustrations and texts. According to the jury: "The images belie the text in this clever, witty, and powerful picture book, in which a tiny white knight believes that the wall that rises on each page will protect him from the dangers of the other side. The cartoon-like characters overturn with their body movements what the little knight had misunderstood."
• Elniplex Gold List 2021

Translated into 13 languages

They said about the book:

"A gentle reminder that preconceived notions about people or things are often completely wrong"
–publishersweekly.com

"The book's clear message that security does not consist of building walls is conveyed to the reader in a humorous and enjoyable way. We highly recommend it."
–firstthursdaybookreviews.wordpress.com