Book Review - The Tunnel



1. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Howden, Sarah. (2022). Illustrated by Erika Rodriguez Medina. THE TUNNEL. Owlkids
Books. ISBN: 978-1771474276

2. PLOT SUMMARY

When something bad happens to a little boy, he feels like running away despite his mom
and aunt trying to help. So, he digs a tunnel in his room and escapes, but soon realizes
that he wants to go back. His mom tells him it’s okay if he wants his own space but the
important part is that he returns.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This story doesn’t focus on a specific event happening, but rather centers on the
emotions and coping mechanisms after the event has occurred. No details are given as
to why the little boy is sad and only the first sentence mentions anything happening at
all. This works in the book’s favor to broaden the relatability and interest to the audience.
It is possible to infer that the boy has lost his father due to his mother being alone and
the aunt coming to help out, but that is mostly speculation. Other readers could interpret
it differently to fit their needs at the moment.

The pictures in this book reflect the feelings of grief that the author is trying to express.
The majority of the pages are covered in blacks, greys, and whites, reflecting the
emotional state of the household and its occupants. Something traumatic has happened
and the pages themselves are reminders with every turn. The only other color seen is
red: the color of the boy's shirt, the shovel, and the path he takes through the tunnels he
digs. Red could represent his anger at the event that has transpired or it could simply be
used as a greater contrast against the ever present gloomy backgrounds. Either way, it
was a fitting color to go along with the sadness that the book invokes.

The illustrator added red to map the boy’s path through the tunnels as a means to help
the reader know what order to read the next lines as they are scattered along the page.
This was necessary for the reader to not get confused and added some more
opportunities for color in a rather darkly drawn book.

On the whole, the combined work from this author and illustrator created a dynamic book
that helps children work through big emotions like grief. They show that it’s okay to deal
with sadness in whatever way feels best, whether that be comfort in other people or
requesting solitude and space. As long as they know that there is someone there for
them whenever they should return.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

USBBY OUTSTANDING INTERNATIONAL BOOKS 2022
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL REVIEW: “Monochromatic illustrations emphasize the
characters’ grief, while soft red notes of color draw the eye."

5. CONNECTIONS

*Relatable to children dealing with loss or grief
*Students could write about a time that they felt upset and how they best like to be
comforted and deal with their emotions

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