Andrea Skyberg

Squircle
Andrea Skyberg, author/artist

“Squircle” is a fantastic representative collaboration between artist/author Andrea Skyberg and students of five Wisconsin schools, creating fabric applique murals and artworks about a central theme of interconnectedness. These completed large murals are woven into a creative story about Evie a girl who carries a ball or red twine, a box and a twig into the forest. At first Evie wants to catch a squirrel, so she makes a trap from her box and then becomes angry when the squirrel eludes her trap. Her first lesson is titled “Duckflap,” illustrated by a beautiful fabric mural of a duck who flaps to set anger free. Evie goes on to learn five important lessons in interconnectedness, living in the present, learning to listen to her inner voice, flowing through life without resisting what happens, and finally, “Squircle,” an experience of coming full circle by sharing a connection with all beings and things. Each enlightenment is fabulously interpreted by a joint project fabric art mural made, and retained by a different school. The narrative pictures in black and white with red twine help describe the inner journey completed by Evie. A truly unique creative feature of “Squircle” is the creative connecting of two words to make a new joint concept, like “Duckflap,” “Fishflow,” “Right -Now-A-Pillar Time,” “Deerly Listen,” and of course, “Squircle.” “Squircle” is a truly wonderful children’s book that has to be savored, published by Wooden Nickel Press, whose mission is described as “to publish books that exhibit an original & inspired connection between storytelling and fine art. Certainly the quality of art and storytelling displayed in “Squircle” is extremely fine, deserving wide acclaim and deeply educational enjoyment. Although “Squircle” is technically a children’s book, easily accessible to those age 6 and up, adults will also find it fascinating and rewarding to read and examine. What a gift to all!

http://www.midwestbookreview.com/cbw/apr_13.htm#Picturebook