Picture Book: Red Kite, Blue Kite

Red Kite, Blue Kite, written by Ji-Li Jiang and illustrated by Greg Ruth. Disney/Hyperion Books, Jan 2013.  32 pages, $17.99, 9781423127536.

Red Kite, Blue Kite, written by Ji-Li Jiang and illustrated by Greg Ruth, is a sad story about a child and a father separated during the Cultural Revolution in China. The story begins with Tai Shan and his father flying kites above a crowded city. The Chinese government places the father in a labor camp because of his opposition to the government. The son has to live with Granny Wang in the countryside. While they are apart, they communicate by flying red and blue kites. The subject is dark, depicting the fear and loneliness of separation and the uncertainty of a reunion. However, it ends hopefully, showcasing the resilience and bond between father and son. 
    The textual narrative emphasizes the symbolism of the kites as the hope of freedom and an extension of both the father and the son. The repeated phrase, “The red kite follows the blue kite, forward and backward, up and down,” references the hope that the father and son have to be together. Tai Shan also continuously uses the word “free," “Baba and me," and“kites” together to showcase the personification and connections with the kites.
    The illustrations of China are not stereotypical. They reference the classical style of Chinese ink-wash paintings, which utilize soft brush strokes and monotone washes to depict nature. Representation of Chinese architecture and the landscape within this story uses washes of color and quick, painterly lines to give it a sense of action and movement. Greg Ruth creates layered images that fill the spread with warm, muted shades of earthy hues of browns, tans, and greens. The muted color tones contrast or complement the splashes of color throughout the story. For example, the red from the soldier's armband contrasted angrily with the muted gray tones. The red and blue kites are vibrant against the muted, earthly hues and leave a soft feeling and calming effect. The illustrator also utilized layered images to showcase the importance of the kites and what matters to Tai Shan. The revolution occurs in the background in shadowy grays and blues. These colors are in the forefront when the father goes to another labor camp. The other colorful elements of the kites are at the forefront, which gives a feeling of peace and freedom. Aerial views and close-ups of the reds and blues kites also grab a reader's attention and emphasize the symbolism of the kites. Overall, the watercolor illustrations are paired well with the emotional and moving text. They reflect the mood and showcase human expression to complement the text. The facial expressions of the father, son, and granny are more detailed, realistic, and emotional compared to the vague facial expressions of the soldiers.