Blackout (2011)
John Rocco
The shiny word “Blackout” stands out against the matte blue background of the night cover, just as the experience of a power outage reminds characters and readers to appreciate each others’ company.
This story from the perspective of a young girl starts on a hot summer night. The illustrations view characters from outside their windows, showing the normal routines of urban family life. The blackout gets people outside and interacting, and images depict a variety of activities going on just outside the apartment complex, such as children playing in the water from a fire hydrant and an ice cream cart giving away free ice cream. Families of different ethnicities are pictured in this book.
Rocco’s illustrations during the blackout feature colorless images representative of our loss of color perception with the absence of light. The yellow tone of the flashlight provides a reminder of the glowing light emitted by the electric applicances that are useless for these few moments. This contrasts with the joyous interactions that occur during the power outage.
Students will enjoy sharing their own tales of power outages and other occasions when they found themselves enjoying the company of loved ones.
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