The Fate of Fausto: A Painted Fable

Oliver Jeffers' "The Fate of Fausto" is a striking modern fable for children aged 4-11, though its profound message resonates with all ages. It tells the story of Fausto, an arrogant man convinced he owns every natural thing he sees. His relentless quest for ownership leads him from land to sea, where he faces an unexpected and irrevocable consequence. Illustrated with bold, lithographic printmaking techniques and sparse, powerful prose, the book masterfully addresses themes of greed, colonialism, power, and environmentalism. It's an excellent conversation starter about humility, respect for nature, and the limits of human control.

A TIME Best Children's Book of 2019! A Chicago Public Library 2019 Best of the Best Book! *"This minimalistic masterpiece is a must-read for all ages." --School Library Journal (starred review!) A quirky, cautionary tale from beloved New York Times bestselling picture book creator Oliver Jeffers! There was once a man who believed he owned everything and set out to survey what was his. "You are mine," Fausto said to the flower, the sheep, and the mountain, and they all bowed before him. But they were not enough for Fausto, so he conquered a boat and set out to sea . . . Combining bold art and powerful prose, and working in traditional lithographic printmaking techniques for the first time, world-renowned talent Oliver Jeffers has created a poignant modern-day fable to touch the hearts of adults and children alike. Praise for The Fate of Fausto: "Jeffers paints Fausto and the objects of his desire with the nonchalant finesse he is known for and in the richly saturated colors he generally favors... Jeffers delivers swift justice in a few concluding words that make for an ending that satisfies for being both fair-minded and irrevocable."--New York Times Book Review "Boldly conceived and gracefully executed."--Publishers Weekly "A parable sure to spark lively discussions." --Booklist "A cautionary fable on the banality of belligerence." --Kirkus Reviews