The Incredible Book Eating Boy

"Henry loves books, but not like you or I. He loves to EAT books!"

A quirky, heart-warming story about the power of books, with sumptuous, clever illustrations. There’s so much detail in this book that parents and children alike could happily pore over it for hours.

Jeffers cleverly uses text from the books which Henry eats as a backdrop for the story. This is witty writing with a powerful message. Writing for young children at its best.

Where the Wild Things Are: the film.

Maurice Sendak's fabulous Picture Book (reviewed below) has now been made into a movie by the experimental film-maker Spike Jonze. Other notable book to film adaptations are David Almond's Skellig and Neil Gaiman's Coraline.

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edit: watch the trailer here.

Where the Wild Things Are

‘Where the Wild Things are’ has become something of a classic book for young readers (although it holds appeal beyond its intended audience), with Maurice Sendak’s evocative and innovative combination of cross-hatched illustrations and bold text, drawing the reader immediately into Max’s world; a world we’re all familiar with, in which order and social norms must be observed.
Max is an instantly likeable character; made so through his familiarity to the reader; we all know what it’s like to be stifled by authority, to dream of breaking free, and to find that things don’t work out the way we expected. Equally, the Wild Things are simultaneously endearing and exciting; just the sort of creatures you might like to hang out with for an afternoon.
Sendak writes with a certain lyricism, employing tactile phrases, repetition and alliteration to embed his story firmly in the reader’s psyche.
What you don’t notice at first, is how clever this book actually is, beyond being a well-crafted, catchy story. From the off, the illustrated panels begin to expand, as Max’s imagination flourishes. Hints of the Wild Things and their island environment seep into the panels, moving away from ordered, literacy-reliant storytelling to the ‘base’ method of using pictures, until, as we reach the centre of the book, this dominates completely. And as Max begins to miss the comforts of home and makes his journey back to reality, the layout reverses, returning everything to its original state.

All in all, a warm, intelligent book. If you have not yet encountered it, I urge you to seek out a copy; you are missing out.

(Sarah Benwell & Rich Oxenham)

The Savage

The Savage, written by David Almond and illustrated by Dave McKean is presented as 'An extraordinary graphic novel within a novel'.

It describes a young lad who begins to write a story about the eponymous Savage; a feral and violent character who exists outside the realities of society.

Almond typically observes his characters effectively and his words flow nicely throughout the pages. McKean's illustrations are fabulous; he uses a calligraphic ink technique that gives his art an ethereal quality, despite the urbanised and often brutal themes.

Problems arise when the two artists are not working in tandem; sections of the book are text only and they feel empty and soulless.

The story is intriguing, yet elements feel a little whitewashed; like Almond is holding back.

Overall The Savage is important for expanding the publishing market, but isn't quite the bridge between children's picture books and adult graphic novels I'd have hoped.