 |
|
Paddyfield.com
More reviews by Bill Condon
Readers may purchase reviewed books from Paddyfield.com, Asia's online bookseller.North American readers may prefer to buy US editions from Powells.com.
|
|
|
Beware of the Storybook Wolves by Lauren Child
Writer and illustrator LAUREN CHILD has come up with a clever and delightful picture book that is sure to appeal to children. Adults too, who may be reading this as a bedtime story to their child, will enjoy the playful humour and originality of BEWARE OF THE STORYBOOK WOLVES.
The story centres around young Herb, who is afraid of the nasty wolf in a bedtime storybook. His mother, of course, scoffs at such a silly notion for adults know that storybook wolves are not at all dangerous. Well, usually they're not...
Sure enough, one night his mother leaves the book behind her in Herb's bedroom. As soon as the lights go out Herb's worst fears are realised and, before he can say Little Red Riding Hood, he has two hungry storybook wolves in his bedroom.
This could easily have become a dark and gloomy story at this point, but Child effortlessly turns it into a fun romp, with Herb cleverly outwitting the wolves by calling on a fairy godmother from another storybook to help him out.
The illustrations are big, bold and brightly coloured. And the ideas are likely to spark the imagination, as well as tickle the funny-bone.
BEWARE OF THE STORYBOOK WOLVES, which won the Smarties Book Award 2000 Bronze Medal, is highly recommended. One of its greatest attributes is that it can be equally enjoyed by children of all ages.
Bill Condon
11/09/2001
|
Bill Condon is author of over 70 books, including several collections of plays and poetry, as well as short stories, novels and works of non-fiction. He lives in New South Wales, Australia. |
| |
|
