There are, in this book, orphanages full of magical children, some (like Sal) who look like any other kid until they exhibit their unexpected skills (Sal's is to shape-shift to a small Pomeranian dog), and others of completely unknown origin, like Chauncey. No one knows where he came from or who (or what) his parentage could have been, but he is described as...
"an amorphous green blob with bright red lips. And black teeth. And eyes on stalks that stuck up high above his head, seemingly moving independently of each other. He didn't have arms so much as tentacles with tiny little suckers along their lengths. He was not quite see-through, although Linus could make out the faint outline of Sal hiding behind him."
Chauncey is a bouncy, light-hearted, charming little fellow, with innocent aspirations to move to the big city and be a bell-hop. The background of this illustration: The orphanage inspector, Linus Baker, has just arrived from the mainland at the remote island a ferry ride away from the village of Marsyas, and is meeting its motley crew of inhabitants. He has already managed to frighten Sal, who has shifted into doggie form and run away from him, and has just turned around at the sound of a voice offering to take his coat, only to encounter Chauncey, who is happily dealing with his luggage, and Sal, peering out from behind him in consternation.
"Chauncey and Sal"—pencil underdrawing, Uniball, Daler Rowney inks, on Fluid paper, 5.5x8 inches.
If only I could write such a delightful tale to inspire my own illustrations. Maybe someday....
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