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| Chris Riddell |
| Macmillan |
| 1405050616 |
| Aug 2006 |
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The commonplace and everyday form the backdrop to Chris Riddell’s latest solo outing, “The Emperor of Absurdia”. Extending the intriguingly imaginative worlds established in his earlier works such as “Horatio Happened” and “Mr Underthebed”, “The Emperor of Absurdia” is firmly grounded amidst the familiar landscape of a child’s bedroom.
Elevated to monarchical standing, the Emperor of Abusrdia awakes from a most extraordinary dream to be ably assisted in the act of dressing by a wardrobe monster, alas however, it becomes apparent his scarf is missing, a scarf hunt is embarked upon, the fruits of which are the finding of his snuggly scarf in the nest of the pointy bird. During lunch, the Emperor’s egg hatches into a dragon that flies off. Ensnared within the excitement, the Emperor now embarks upon a dragon hunt. After riding his trusty tricycle through the flower beds, the umbrella trees, the pillow hills and over the bouncy mountains, the Emperor is on the verge of giving up when he spots a series of footprints leading to a deep dark cave, the contents of which lead to an Emperor hunt! There is a wonderful sense of absurd symmetry as the Emperor is chased back across the bouncy mountains, through the pillow hills, under the umbrella trees and towards the flower beds. Saved by the pointy bird who captures the Emperor’s snuggly scarf in his beak, the Emperor makes a bid for freedom, tumbling through air into the arms of the Wardrobe monster. Deciding to look for his scarf again tomorrow, the Emperor goes to sleep and has the most extraordinary dream bringing the tale neatly to its conclusion but also back to its beginning. Much pleasure is to be had looking at the bedroom and determining those objects which branch off into the surreal to form the dreamlike land of Absurdia. Observant readers will discern the details of the endpapers as they spring from the apparently sombre and sobre to the delightfully lively and diverse. From beginning to end - and back again! - this is a picture book that will enthrall, enrapture and enrich with its enchanting depiction of the imaginative worlds of early childhood.
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Picture Books: November 2006 Archives
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| Damian Harvey, ill. Korky Paul |
| Frances Lincoln Publishers |
| 1845071123 |
| Sep 2006 |
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Potential for animosity and rivalry is instantly outlined in “Snail's Legs” as Damian Harvey explains that whilst Snail was the fastest runner in the whole wood, Frog had been in his younger days… Despite this, however, the two athletes are firm friends. Spirited, though good-humoured teasing is a benchmark of their supportive kinship.
This comfortable idyll, however, is shattered when the King’s Chef relays his need for an animal with very strong legs to help celebrate the King’s birthday. Competitive Frog is desperate to meet the King and it is agreed that a race should be held to discern the fastest runner. Subtle, analogous reference to Feudalism, power and class struggle, form the base to this competition. In the course of the race, Snail remembers the friendship the two share and, conscious of Frog’s eagerness to meet the King, slows down allowing Frog to win. The King’s Chef escorts Frog to the palace, though Harvey describes with euphemistic abstraction how despite this visit, he never actually got to meet the King… A heartbroken Snail resolves to wear his running hat on his back and hide his legs inside it by day. Early in the morning, however, one might just see a tiny trail left by the fastest snails as their feet polish the floor on moonlight runs. A magical convergence, somewhere between a fable and a ‘just-so’ story, “Snail Legs” is one of those rare books that leaves readers feeling privileged to have accessed a secret, hidden world of the 'maybes' of imagination. |
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| Julia Hubery, ill. Mei Matsuoka |
| Simon and Schuster |
| 1416903992 |
| Sep 2006 |
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Pastoral pleasures, long swishy grass, the sparkling stream and rustling, rippling trees are associated by Raffi racoon with his home. Out of all of these, his most treasured, and best loved surrounding is Old Father oak who emblemises the love and attachment Raffi feels for his homeland. It is amongst Old Father Oak’s branches that Raffi has learnt to climb and it is in the shade of his leaves that Raffi plays.
On the first day of Autumn Raffi awakes early to play but is distressed to see no leaves, only an ethereal, silver mist. On closer inspection he finds the leaves are still there, a single gold one drops and twirls away into the midst of the mists. Raffi chases this believing it to be a gift from Old Father Oak, but more and more begin to fall, causing Raffi concerns as to Old Father Oak’s well-being. Is he cold, or is he crying? Raffi’s mother explains the leaves falling signals that Autumn has arrived and that winter will soon be coming. The holistic nature of the seasons for the animals is presented as leaves provide a blanket for sleep, nature’s bounty provides a feast to fatten ready for the winter sleep, acorns are hidden beneath the ground and Old Father Oak himself provides sanctuary from the snows and chills of winter, a place where the racoons are able to sleep. The racoons awake as the first tingle of spring, with all its vivid awakenings, stings through the air. Movement and motion is beautifully realised through Mei Matsuoka’s distinctive, vivid illustrations. Old Father Oak presents as a paternalistic protector as a provider and godhead illustrated with emphatic, far-reaching scale and scope.
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| Simon Puttock, ill. Holly Swain |
| Frances Lincoln Publishers |
| 1845074750 |
| Sep 2006 |
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Niceville is a safe haven, an idyll of neat gardens, tree lined-roads and quiet streets… that is, until Miss Fox, substitute teacher strolls into the comfortable complacency surrounding the conurbation . Miss Fox, carries the weight of self-recommendation, her easy-going approach to education – treats, eats and lazy sleeps – ensures instant popularity from all of her class bar the cross, annoying and nimble Lily Lamb.
Events reach a head when Miss Fox leads the class on an expedition to a high cliff-top, whipping a napkin from her handbag she asks who wants to be eaten first. Unexercised, tired and with tardy minds the class are oblivious to the gravity of their situation and giggle Assertive as ever, Lily Lamb offers herself up, mindful of the fact she will be no sacrificial lamb to the slaughter led… Drawing on resources of cunning, guile (and a good hearty shove!), Lily is able to escape the peril of Miss Fox. This deliciously dark tale, illustrated throughout with a warmth and good humour by Holly Swain, has a serious warning at its heart, it cautions against those we entrust with the education and welfare of our children. A more disturbing and brooding interpretation is possible when the desires of those who are entreated with the safety and well-being of children are recounted as dangerously as here…
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| Benedict Blathwayt |
| Hutchinson |
| 0091798620 |
| Oct 2006 |
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Benedict Blathwayt’s popular Little Red Train returns under full steam in this latest adventure which pits the loveable locomotive against one of the new Swish Trains. Elements of the story mirror Aesop’s fable of the Hare and the Tortoise won here by a determined, hard-working engine. Character and personality are juxtaposed with the bigger, the better, the faster and the now, now, now of change and technological progress.
Boundaries are established, yet at once are constantly being transgressed in Blathwayt’s incomparable illustrations. This allows a world of possibilities to be presented. Natural and human influences exerted upon the landscape Blathwayt portrays are shown as being at once in flux and in symbiotic harmony. Industrial and urban landscapes rocket into the rural and motifs make repeated self-reference to Blathwayt’s earlier works…. Fans and followers will discern and unravel from the panoramic pictures echoes of the blue tractor, of Tig and Tag, of Kip, Bella, Pebble and Bramble all of which combine with symphonic magnitude to a most beautifully orchestrated, highly inspiring visual masterpiece that through careful perusal cannot fail to inspire a love of life, to engender a liking for lighting and that together instil a lasting sense of liberation.
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