The Not So Quiet Life of Marcel Marceau

Bailey and Bushue dramatically recount the formative war-time experiences of performer Marcel Marceau (1923–2007) before he became known for his alter ego, Bip. Drawing inspiration from Charlie Chaplin’s “wordless antics,” young Marceau “imitates everything.” When WWII arrives, the youth flees Strasbourg deeper into France, where he attends art school, then begins forging identity cards for the resistance. Upon escaping to Paris, the protagonist leads multiple groups of Jewish orphans to safety in Switzerland, miming en route to entertain his charges. The narration culminates after the liberation of France—and Marceau’s successful use of mime to persuade a German troop to surrender—then speeds rapidly to its closing scene, which spotlights the figure’s career-launching post-war performance. Painted on wooden panels with crisp lines and pale swatches of color, Zagarenski’s surrealistic illustrations skillfully balance seriousness and whimsy for an affecting presentation that frequently evokes pathos with renderings highlighting movement and flight. Further information closes. Ages 4–8. (Apr.)