A review of "A Bit Lost" by Chris Haughton

Hey People in the Ether,

   Chris Haughton creates disarmingly simple tales. This story follows Little Owl who has an "Uh-oh" moment while falling away from a high perch and Mummy Owl. 

   Squirrel is then eager to help but misinterprets Little Owl's descriptions of Mummy Owl, and leads Little Owl to three woodland candidates. Finally, Frog figures it all out and the feathery pair are reunited. With a lovely relieved tear in her eye, Mummy Owl invites Squirrel and Frog up to the perch for a snack. But overcrowding is a problem and the story closes with another "Uh-oh" moment, another tumble and perhaps another adventure. 

   The book is printed on nicely textured paper and there is one flap page that beautifully enhances the story telling.

   Haughton's text is lively, sweet and includes questions and responses that will appeal to young readers. His stylised characters and landscapes have a beautiful retro feel and the colour contrasts are very effective. It's a really charming read.  

   Thanks for reading,

       LJ

A review of "Zoe and Beans: The Magic Hoop", written by Chloe Inkpen and illustrated by Mick Inkpen

Hey there, Folks in the Smoke,

   Mike Inkpen brought us the loveable Kipper. Zoe and Beans (a little girl and her dog) are the stars of a new series that he illustrates and his daughter, Chloe, writes.

   This is the duo's third outing. They hunted for Beans' lost favourite toy in "Where is Binky Boo?" and braved the icy Arctic to deliver Zoe's requests to Father Christmas in "Zoe's Christmas List". In this story Zoe uses doggy treats to convince Beans to jump through a hoop. But it's a magical hoop and Beans is converted into a rabbity version of himself. Although this is fun, Zoe is a naturally inquisitive creature and decides that further experimentation is called for - Beans might become something even cooler! 

    So the rabbit becomes a squeaking mouse, the mouse becomes a snap-tastic crocodile and the crocodile becomes an enormous elephant. Disaster - elephantine Beans is now stuck in the hoop - how can he ever get back to his regular self? Zoe thinks he needs to slim down but poor Beans is ravenous and gobbles more doggy treats - so many more that soon he bursts the hoop and happily he is restored to his canine form!

    Both Zoe and Beans are adorable - she's a bit bossy and he's a bit non-plussed, it's a great combination. Mike Inkpen's illustrations are cute and energetic. I love how you can still see Beans in there somewhere, no matter what animal he has become, and Zoe's expressions are priceless. Chloe Inkpen's writing is lovely, she chooses some great words to use - full of action and fun. The size of the text changes occasionally to match the stress and sound required. And there is a great spread where the text winds around like a serpent, as Zoe is chased by a snapping Beans.

     This is a sweet and fun read featuring two charming characters. They've a new adventure coming this summer involving some pants and a trip to the Moon - I'm already imagining the antics!

      Thanks for reading,
           LJ

A review of "The Complete Maus" by Art Spiegelman

Hi People in the Ether,

   "Maus " is perhaps the graphic novel. It is so important and groundbreaking that it found widespread admiration and went on to win the Pulitzer Prize. It's overwhelming but intimate, its horrific though everyday, its universal and personal.

   Art Spiegelman sets out to tell the story of his father's journey through the Holocaust. This means we learn a lot about Vladek's life before and about the man he becomes having survived the ghetto, work and death camps and death march experiences. There is brutal truth and heartbreaking violence, but there is also self-sacrifice and humanity. It's seeringly autobiographical - it lays bare Art's relationship with Vladek, his attitude to him as a survivor, as a father, as a man. The story of Art's own mental illness and his mother's suicide feature, too. And in telling this personal story he also asks questions about the Holocaust, about how survivors are viewed and how they view themselves. Realisations are profound and subtle - Art's conversations with the therapist tell us a lot about survivor guilt and how successive generations deal with shadows and expectations.

   This collection is my second comic strip/graphic novel story recently. It's obviously very different from Brigg's though the honesty and examination of parents as people is similar. Spiegelman's style of illustration is very different - frenetic, fast, sketchy. It's exclusively black and white and runs like frames from a movie - with great pace and immediacy. There are some set pieces and larger scenes, but for the most part the frames progress the story and don't require the eye to linger very long. 

     Spiegelman's ingenious device of characterising different races and nationalities as different animals (the Jewish characters are depicted as mice, the Germans as cats, the Poles as pigs, the Americans as dogs, the British as fish, the Swedish as deer, the French as frogs) works brilliantly in many ways. It allows immediate recognition of the different groups of players, and each character is somehow readily identified. It means that Spiegelman can depict episodes of visceral acts of violence and gut-wrenching death camp scenes - these are obviously and understandably horrific, heart-breaking, nauseating, disturbing. But the reader can just about handle the images because they are not human figures, even though we are aware that they are depicting human beings. I'm not suggesting this is a desensitisation device - I think it's effective and necessary - we mightn't actually be able to look at those graphic, real, brutal scenes in this comic strip style if they were humans. The characters suit the image style, suit the mode of the story, suit how we are digesting this immense story and these disturbing events.

   I'm sure everyone who reads Maus feels moved, affected, touched. Those who think it's not a worthy way to deal with the subject matter should think again. It might be the most suitable, the most affecting, the most apt. It can stand proud with other Holocaust literature but it also very much so it's own creation, it's own yardstick. It is the tale of a father and son, of how the Holocaust affected the generations after and the relationships that followed. I think everyone should read "Maus".

   Thanks for reading,
        LJ

A review of "I Want My Hat Back" by Jon Klassen

Hi Folks in the Smoke,
   The first solo venture from animator and illustrator Jon Klassen was named a New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book of 2011, and it features a depressed bear. The bear has lost a beloved hat and is wandering around forlornly asking a variety of creatures if they've seen it.

   Each encounter is depicted on a left-hand page, against a sepia-coloured background. The dialogue text appears on the white right-hand page. The text is colour-coded to the colour of each beast which is a nice touch.
   They all reply that they haven't seen it. However, the rabbit protests a little too much and is sporting some fetching headgear. The rabbit makes a speedy and garbled declaration of innocence - "I would not steal a hat". The bear takes each reply for granted and shuffles along.

   Only when a therapist-style deer asks what the hat looks like does our slow protagonist finally catch up with the plot. The next spread shows the character and background bathed in a raging red mist, with larger sized text to accompany the epiphany.
   Steps are retraced, passing by all the other characters on a beautifully stark double page spread. Two double pages spreads follow - one with an accusation and another with a silent, staring competition. Finally, we see the bear wearing the hat but the rabbit is nowhere to be seen.

    The story concludes with a squirrel asking after the rabbit's whereabouts, only to be answered with a mirror of the rabbit's earlier rant of innocence - "I would not eat a rabbit". Indeed.

    The dialogue has a morose, Eeyore tone, which matches the personalities and the colour palette. Klassen's minimalist, empty spreads and beautifully angular and stylish animals give this book a wonderfully retro feel. Combined with the lovely end papers and the richly textured paper, this feels like a classic read from 30 years ago - in the best possible way. I'm looking forward to his follow-up "This Is Not My Hat" due later this year.

    Thanks for reading,
          LJ

A review of "The Great Dog Bottom Swap", written by Peter Bently and illustrated by Mei Matsuoka

Hey there, People in the Ether,

   Peter Bently's canine precursor to "Cats Ahoy!" is the tale of "The Great Dog Bottom Swap", endearingly illustrated by Mei Matsuoka.

   The story is simple but clever. We start out at the great doggy social mixer of the year, where the chow includes dog-biscuit stew and slippers and the entertainment ranges from a magic show to stand-up. But disaster soon ensues as some over-enthusiastic doggy dancing leads to a fiery situation and an evacuation of the grand hall. This means that things are scattered, possessions are jumbled and incorrect essentials are taken home - leading to a somehow gross-and-charming explanation for classic canine behaviour. I squealed with delight and shock on the first read. Some might have heard a similar folklore explanation, but surely nobody could resent this wry retelling.

   Bently sets his pace beautifully, with a lovely rhyming narrative and hilarious plotting. The little asides and doggy details are joyous, and until the inferno the party sounds very appealing - what pup wouldn't want an invite?

   Mei Matsuoka's illustrations are energetic and charismatic. There's a great sense of fun and movement, and wry anatomical representation! I loved the leg-cocking scene the most, I think.

   Fun, silly, suitably rude and very witty, this is a great tale to amuse naughty kids and outrage prim and proper ones - grins all round!

   Thanks for reading,

       LJ

A review of "Sir Scallywag and the Golden Underpants", written by Giles Andreae and illustrated by Korky Paul

Hey Folks in the Smoke,

   The latest tale from Giles Andreae (of Purple Ronnie fame) revolves around (drumroll, please) the brave, the clever and the only-six-years-old Sir Scallywag, the most loyal and gallant knight, in a rather rambunctious and untidy court.

   King Colin of England, whose land sports a y-front emblazoned flag, is obsessed with underpants; more precisely, his golden underpants. So much so that when an evil giant creeps into his bedchamber and steals them, Colin doesn't reach for a lesser pair of pants. Instead he wanders around traumatised, merely clutching his robe. The robe allows the bare essentials to be covered, but also allows Korky Paul to cheekily, and essentially, bare the hairy, royal derriere.

   Sir Scallywag is summoned and charged with hunting down the giant and retrieving the royal drawers. He and his trusty steed, Doofus, scour the land but to no avail. They are returning home in ignominy when they encounter the fiend, underpants atop helmet and riding on a gigantic horse heading for the castle. He has the pants and now he wants the kingdom. The fate of the nation rests on Sir Scallywag's narrow shoulders. As he faces the charge of the monstrous enemy he is panicked, but his quick wit, some nimble acrobatics and his over-sized lance allow him to save the underpants and the day. Huzzah!

   Paul's riotous illustrations (very Ronald Searle), in a rich palette of blues, golds and reds, are rendered in line drawing and water colours and suit the story and cast of characters beautifully. I especially loved the details - the queen's wandering eyes, books, ornaments, creepy lizards and knowing birds. There are two spreads in a portrait aspect instead of landscape, so there's the added fun of turning the book and enjoying a tall scene full of drama and the castle's edifice, too.

   Andreae's text, with it's lovely rhythm and rhyme, carries the reader along on this medieval David and Goliath jaunt. Its glee in its own silliness and much-talked-of backsides is infectious. 

    This is a story of pint-sized knights, a ramshackle castle and metal pants that's bursting with courage-inspiring fun - it shows how tiny but brave can defeat huge and uncouth.

   Thanks for reading,

             LJ

A review of "The Baby That Roared", written by Simon Puttock and illustrated by Nadia Shireen

Hi People in the Ether,

   Simon Puttock's garrulous story and Nadia Shireen's warm illustrations combine beautifully to make this picture book a giggly read.

 

   Mr and Mrs Deer pine for a baby, and low and behold an infant shaped parcel lands on their doorstep, appropriately antlered. Mrs Deer sees the "dear little baby" as a gift, Mr Deer is a little more sceptical about the baby's appearance. But they adopt the creature and are soon confronted with trails of parenthood. This baby roars, incessantly.

   An uncle, an aunt and a doctor are recruited and offer advice on feeding, nappy changing and sleep - but each mysteriously disappears when left alone with baby. Finally, wise Granny Bear arrives and decides the baby merely needs burping - this solves the roaring and the mystery as each of the preceding sages are regurgitated and even the deluded Deers must admit that the stranger is no baby, but a greedy little monster. A monster who dashes away into the forest never to be seen, or heard from, again. Or does it?!

   Puttock's phrasing is witty and lovely. Shireen's illustrations are full of colour and texture, and allow attentive young sleuths to figure out that this infant is not so innocent. It's a wicked and quirky read for jealous siblings who might see a new arrival as an actual monster.

   Thanks for reading,
       LJ

A review of "Man on the Moon (a day in the life of Bob)" by Simon Bartram

Hi People in the Ether,

   Bartram's riotously colourful tale features Bob, a statuesque Earthling on a Grant Wood-style Earth. Bob leaves his retro abode and travels to work on the Moon every morning, a swift 15 minute commute. The spacecraft is straight from a Jules Verne story. 
   Bob's lunar duties include patrolling, tidying, bouncing around and giving lectures to tourists. He enjoys sandwiches and hanging out with his interstellar mates (no ladies, here, sadly). However, Bob is completely oblivious to the aliens that scuttle around the Moon, stowaway in his rocket and seem to be slowly but surely running amok, incognito, on Earth.

   The story is fun and Bob is charming if scatterbrained. I do think there's a little too much text. The images are very vibrant, the style is very dense and the scenes are very detailed - they do so much work and could easily let the text be more restrained. Bartram's acrylic artwork is rich and figurative, like 50s advertising art, or a cross between James Chapin portraits and Spitting Image puppets - ideal for all those daring astronauts and funky aliens!

   Bob has gone on to have many more fun, funny and beautiful adventures. I'm looking forward to what he, and Bartram, does next.

   Thanks for reading,
      LJ

Maurice Sendak (1928-2012)

   The internet is, rightly so, awash with tributes to Maurice Sendak and analysis of his rich legacy. His atmospheric illustrations and his brave, dark and twisty tales are gems. They offer just the right amount of unsettling peril in the context of a warm duvet and a loving voice. 

   He said many wise, ascerbic things. This might just be my favourite:

"Grown-ups desperately need to feel safe, and then they project onto the kids. But what none of us seem to realize is how smart kids are. They don't like what we write for them, what we dish up for them, because it's vapid, so they'll go for the hard words, they'll go for the hard concepts, they'll go for the stuff where they can learn something, not didactic things, but passionate things." (in conversation with Sarah Lyall of The New York Times, 1993)

A review of "Bella and Monty - A Hairy, Scary Night" by Alex T. Smith

Hey Folks in the Smoke,
   I know this is another Alex T Smith review but a lovely friend gave "Bella and Monty" to me after my "Ella" post so I thought I'd stick with him for one more blog.

   Bella and Monty are best friends though polar opposites in the courage stakes - Bella is a brave and inquisitive puppy while Monty is shy and scaredy kitten.

 

   Monty's fears are wide and varied and on a sleepover Bella teaches him that the dark is necessary but not evil, ghosts and ghouls are quite cool and spiders aren't creeps at all. Their nocturnal adventure is cute and gentle with just the right amount of edge and darkness to the illustrations. My favourite spread is the ghoul classroom, it's so witty. Monty learns life is full of interesting encounters and that frights are more imagined than present. He is emboldened by the time they return through a bat-ted wood to their snug sleeping bags. Enough so as to play a prank on Bella. A sound night's sleep ensues.

   Smith's characters are loveable and the text has a lovely cadence to it ("his whiskers wobbled and his tail quivered"). His illustrations are warm, even when their subject is dark and full of fears. He uses texture, flock and fabric to build up his images - and the pictures are full and vibrant as a result. I liked the colour palette and style of this much more than "Ella", I'd have to admit.  

   A great bedtime tale to banish monsters under beds. Thanks for reading,
            LJ