Christophe Gallaz (1948–) Biography

Born 1948, in Valeyres-sous-Rances, Switzerland. Education: Attended University of Lausanne.

Career

Writer and journalist.

Writings

FOR CHILDREN

La vie à belles dents (title means "Life with Beautiful Teeth"), Gallimard Editions (Paris, France), 1982.

Rose Blanche (title means "White Rose"), illustrated by Roberto Innocenti, Script (Neuchãtel, Switzerland), 1985, Creative Education (Mankato, MN), 1989.

Mozart, illustrations by George Lemoine, La Joie de Lire (Geneva, Switzerland), 1988, Creative Education (Mankato, MN), 1989.

Stravinski, illustrations by Nicolai Popov, La Joie de Lire (Geneva, Switzerland), 1993, published as Stravinsky, Creative Education (Mankato, MN), 1994.

Threadbear, illustrations by Gabrielle Vincent, Creative Education (New York, NY), 1993.

La rivière du monde (title means "The River of the World"), illustrations by Marie-Helene Darbellay, La Joie de Lire (Geneva, Switzerland), 1995.

Comtes et légendes de Suisse (title means "Tales and Legends of Switzerland"), Editions Nathan, 1996.

Le réveur d'oiseaux, Editions Nathan, 2000.

The Wolf Who Loved Music, translated from the French by Mary Logue, illustrations by Marshall Arisman, Creative Education (Mankato, MN), 2003.

FOR ADULTS

Une chambre pleine d'oiseaux (title means "A Room Full with Birds"), Age d'Homme (Lausanne, Switzerland), 1982.

Lettre à Jeanne Hersche (title means "Letter with Jeanne Hersch"), Zoe Editions (Geneva, Switzerland), 1984.

Les chagrins magnifiques (title means "Splendid Sorrows"), Zoe Editions (Geneva, Switzerland), 1986.

(Author of text) Musée de nuit (title means "Museum of Night"), photographs by Jacques Straesslé, Pierre d'O Editions (Yverdon, France), 1988.

Les musiques défaites (title means "The Music Defeats"), Zoe Editions (Geneva, Switzerland), 1989.

Les femmes de la terre (title means "Women of the Ground"), photographs by Monique Jacot, Collection la Mémoire de l'Oeil, 1989.

Chronique des jours glissants/ Discours de Swatch (essays; title means "Chronicle of the Slipping Days"), Zoe Editions (Geneva, Switzerland), 1991.

(Author of text) Suisse flamboyante (title means "Blazing Switzerland"), art by Etienne Delessert, Gallimard Editions (Paris, France), 1997.

(With Jean Lecoultre) La chambre (title means "The Room"), Age d'homme (Lausanne, Switzerland), 1999.

La plante (title means "The Plant"), Trois P'tits Tours, 2002.

Contributor to books in French.

Sidelights

Swiss-born writer and journalist Christophe Gallaz has worked for both Swiss and French newspapers, and has also penned novels, commentary, and other works of nonfiction for adult readers. In addition, he has authored a number of books for children, including several biographies and the picture book The Wolf Who Loved Music, which was published in an English-language version in 2003.

The Wolf Who Loved Music presents young readers with "a strange mix of innocence and sophistication," according to School Library Journal critic Carolyn Janssen. Main character Anne lives in a remote area on a farm in Switzerland. One day, after hearing the story of "Little Red Riding Hood," Anne sets out into the forest to play her violin. Later that evening, when the child does not come home, Anne's worried parents gather together some townsfolk and scour the area in search of the little girl. Luckily she is found the next morning, surrounding by the footprints of a wolf. Assuming the worst, the townspeople immediately begin to hunt for the wolf in hopes of killing it, while Anne, who has come to no harm in the presence of the music-loving creature, contemplates the harsh reality of mankind. A
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Publishers Weekly reviewer stated that "Gallaz offers a somber look at stereotyping in this tale of a wolf whose apparent love of music hastens his death." While noting that some listeners "may find Gallaz's poetic story enigmatic," another Publishers Weekly contributor added that "the distinctive, faintly bittersweet mood he establishes has its own eloquence."