Victor

Done in a surreal style, this book tells the story of a hunter who has killed a cheetah and then has regrets and turns himself into the cheetah... or does he. I like the originality of this story. It is fairly dark for a children's book, but for those less sensitive children, it was be very entertaining.

An absolute delight this was.
It is beautifully drawn and simply engaging even though it is a kid's book.
I am fascinated by the beauty this delivered. If I had kids, I would be buying this for them to enjoy both art and story ( let alone I'll buy this for myself).

Wonderfully done. Victor tells the story of, well, Victor, who kills a cheetah and then regrets his actions. The illustrations are striking, and, quite honestly, gorgeous. Done in a limited color scheme, mainly green and orange, accented with red, this is a vibrant picture book with a darkish, fantastical air. Each page is a sumptuous delight for the eyes. With cheetahs!

A wonderful discovery of a book featuring amusing and inventive illustrations. The story centres around the titular "Victor", a hunter who dreams about being a cheetah. This leads to a profound change in his character. I would highly recommend it to the younger and older humans alike. For the younger generation, knowledge about the concept of death and murder is important. For everyone, the book suggests that we can imagine ourselves as someone else and that this can lead to feel compassion, better understanding of others who inhabit the world or even of ourselves.

"Victor" is a beautifully illustrated children's book, from which even some adults could learn reason and empathy towards animals. It tells the story of a hunter named Victor, who finally achieved his big dream of killing a cheetah. The night after the victory over his greatest opponent, his dreams are ridden with guilt over the deed committed. So, he imagines wearing the killed cheetah skin, returning to the pack, and living among them as their equal.

Although short, this little book is full of wisdom. Reading it to a child can be really beneficial - it can start an important discussion on empathy and respect towards animals and the consequences one must face after killing a living creature.

VICTOR is a thought-provoking tale of what it means to understand a community, and the powers of viewing groups from unexpected angles. A hunter is forced to rethink his vocation when he dreams of joining a group of cheetahs he is hunting. HIs experiences change him. This book presents a powerful message, and it is filled with the gorgeous and rich visuals that make Jacques and Lise books so rewarding. Stunning work.

I thought that the illustrations in this book were lovely.

The story was well written and I am very glad that Victor had changed his ways by the end of the book too. The book was easy to follow and understand and this is one I would happily read with my daughter when she is a little older.

It is 4 stars from me for this one, highly recommended!

Just a beautifully illustrated book. Guaranteed to irk families who hunt for sport, but they probably could use a little irking. Victor has an epiphany while staring at his animal carpet. He decides it's time to make amends and we follow is a journey of self-discovery.

This is definitely outside the norm of what we Americans are accustomed to in terms of children’s books, and I would not read it to a sensitive child. That being said, the illustrations are stunning and the message of empathy to animals is spot-on. I highly recommend it, but do suggest that an adult preview it first.

This is an absolutely beautiful book with a gorgeous sentiment. The illustrations are so vibrant and exciting. The story is about how one can change their spots like a leopard although the story centres on a cheetah. A real refreshing children's tale.

Victor is a hunter who has just achieved his dream of shooting a cheetah. But when he goes to bed, dreams of a different kind take over, which will change the way Victor treats animals for the rest of his life.

Victor has a simple narrative, but will give young readers a lot to think about. It can be used to introduce children to complex topics, such as animal cruelty and hunting, but also more some they will find it easier to relate to, like fitting in and making amends for your mistakes.

However, it is its illustrations which make Victor truly shine. This picture book is visually stunning with a striking colour pallet in orange, teal and grey. The cover is immediately eye catching and would be difficult to walk past in a shop without stopping for a closer look.

Thank you Pushkin Press for letting me review Victor through NetGalley

The hunter wants a trophy for his house, so he kills a cheetah. But he lies awake at night thinking, ‘Will his cheetah friends miss him’? We follow him after the kill on an imaginative, otherworldly journey of empathy. We learn that the man and the cheetah are not so different, afterall - and that the kill affects him more than he thought it would. He puts himself in the cheetah’s shoes and wonders what it’s like to live life as he did, and how different it is from his own. I really loved the brilliant but simple metaphor that guides this story through someone else’s shoes. The illustrations are bold, stylistic, and modern but with a soft, handmade printmaker’s touch, and I loved how the illustrator played with shadow and magic to lead us to want to know what happens on the next page. Most of all I love how, on one clever spread, humanity is brought into question with clever juxtaposition. This is a uniquely-envisioned questioning of the morals of a polarizing act, and a much-needed, playful, introduction to empathy and deeply considering someone else’s feelings before you act. Beautifully done!

Wish this book came out years ago!

But yes, I still hear news about people hunting wild animals (or animals and birds still!) almost everyday, including celebrities and goons alike.

Seriously, why don't they have all this kind of epiphany?

Bad dream or reality, this story is basic for those who does things without thinking twice about the lives of others no matter big or small.

A good book! A must read book!

The art is so beautiful!!!!

Thank you, author, artist and the Publisher for the advanced reader copy!

Victor by Jacques and Lise is phenomenal. If there are images I'd cover the walls of my home with, it'd be this one. SO SO GOOD.

The imminent nightmares following a much-awaited, much-chased, and much-wanted goal of shooting a cheetah have taken over a hunter's soul, propelling his attitude towards animals to inevitably change. Supported with excellent illustrations and a colour palette mirrored on the cover, this is an important read to introduce children to topics of complexity, empathy, and sensitivity — particularly animal cruelty.