The fearful connecting of worlds in Rose Blanche

unusual for a children's picturebook.The front cover portrays a child looking fearfully out of a window that reflects tired and wounded soldiers during World War II.The whole page is illustrated in grey tones.If placed beside the bright colours and cheerful subjects of many children's books, Rose Blanche would almost seem as if it were not meant for children at all.It seems like a book that would upset or scare children rather than entertain them.It is not surprising, then, that Innocenti and Gallaz's book has been challenged for reasons relating to the fear that it causes its readers.Focusing on the front cover again, it is notable that Rose is not fearfully looking out at the reader, but rather she is looking out at the soldiers.The reader can see the window's reflections of the same soldiers that Rose sees.Therefore, the reader is looking fearfully at the very same thing that Rose herself is looking at: a scene of war.The window serves as a connection between the reader and Rose and brings the reader into her frightening world; this is perhaps the most fearful aspect of the book.Rose Blanche is an immensely complex and unique picture book which takes its readers on a journey that ultimately, and fearfully, connects readers not only with Rose, but with Rose's frightening world as well.Rose is the centre of attention in the first part of the book, which is not surprising considering the book's title.On the inside title page, there is a small image box on a mostlywhite page which shows Rose running along a muddy road.The little illustration can be taken in