Mallko & Dad

Product Description A diary, journal, and illustrated story all at the same time written by a father about his son, Mallko, who has Down Syndrome. This book, which was selected as the best book in the disability category by the Bologna Book Fair in 2016, comes as a call and a revelation.Born in Argentina, Gusti studied advertising design at the Escola d'Art Fernando Fade and has lived in Europe since 1985. He first worked in Paris and currently lives in Barcelona where, as well as working as an illustrator, he also gives classes in illustration at schools, libraries, and cultural centers. He co-founded the nonprofit association Windown-La Ventana, which works towards building a more inclusive society. Gusti lives with his family in Barcelona. From School Library Journal In this mixed-media Spanish import, Gusti relies on prose, poems, short sayings, and vignettes to explore his young son Mallko's early years. The author is honest about his initial anxiety upon learning that his son had Down syndrome, while noting that his wife was immediately accepting. With graphic paneling illustrations, childlike art and scribbles, and the use of collage and photos, this scrapbooklike memoir captures Mallko's vibrant personality. At times, however, Gusti comes across as self-congratulatory about both his and his older son Theo's attitude toward Mallko: "Theo helps us a lot with Mallko. When we're overwhelmed, we can always count on him. This makes him feel like a good person and gives him a sense of responsibility." Overall, though, this is a deeply personal account of fatherhood and a beautiful memoir about family and acceptance. VERDICT This celebratory and ­enchanting title will engage teens.-­Danielle Jones, Multnomah County Library, ORα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. About the Author Born in Argentina, Gusti studied advertising design at the Escola d'Art Fernando Fade and has lived in Europe since 1985. He first worked in Paris and currently lives in Barcelona where, as well as working as an illustrator, he teaches illustration classes at schools, libraries and cultural centers. Gusti also co-founded the nonprofit association Windown-La Ventana to work for a more inclusive society. He lives in Barcelona, Spain.