Scan barcode
tashrow's review
5.0
Looking for a picture book that is far from sweet and a bit wicked? Then look no further! Mini Grey takes the classic tale by Belloc and turns it into a book with lots of tiny details and pop-up pages that make for great fun in reading. The tale is one of Jim, who went to the zoo with his nurse and then slipped away from her. He hadn’t gotten far when a lion grabbed him and began to eat him from the feet up. Jim called for help and a zookeeper came running, but was too late, only Jim’s head was left. The story is written in verse that is dry and naughty. The voice of the poem makes what happens that much more unexpected and delightful. Grey’s illustrations have a modern feel that works well with the tone here. This is a picture book best shared with children who are slightly older and will understand the dark humor at work.
Belloc’s poem makes a great point from which Grey could build such a book. Though the writing is decidedly Edwardian, Grey’s modern illustrations work well with it. Her small touches enliven the book, getting readers interacting with panels to open, a zoo map to view, and a lion’s claws to dodge. Though we may see modern books as those with a darker edge, it took an Edwardian author to create one of the more dark picture books I have read in a long time. Children looking for a sudden happy ending will not find one. They will only find the sly humor of an urn shaped just like Jim’s head that holds his remains.
This is one of those books that readers will either love or hate. Me? I absolutely adored it and read it again and again just to get that same jolt from the ending. You know what kids will love this book. Get it into their hands! It would make an ideal holiday gift for that special child with a wicked sense of humor.
Belloc’s poem makes a great point from which Grey could build such a book. Though the writing is decidedly Edwardian, Grey’s modern illustrations work well with it. Her small touches enliven the book, getting readers interacting with panels to open, a zoo map to view, and a lion’s claws to dodge. Though we may see modern books as those with a darker edge, it took an Edwardian author to create one of the more dark picture books I have read in a long time. Children looking for a sudden happy ending will not find one. They will only find the sly humor of an urn shaped just like Jim’s head that holds his remains.
This is one of those books that readers will either love or hate. Me? I absolutely adored it and read it again and again just to get that same jolt from the ending. You know what kids will love this book. Get it into their hands! It would make an ideal holiday gift for that special child with a wicked sense of humor.
mat_tobin's review
4.0
How is the story told?
The story is told through Belloc's rhyming couplets.
How do the words and pictures work together?
Much like the layout in [b:The Stinky Cheese Man: And Other Fairly Stupid Tales|407429|The Stinky Cheese Man And Other Fairly Stupid Tales|Jon Scieszka|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1429385524s/407429.jpg|1814587] the font can change size depending on the emphasis Grey wants to place on certain words. This offers a nice opportunity for children to do similar with their own poems that they could illustrate.
The reader is drawn into finding the rhymes at times through rhyming words which are hidden under flaps. The illustrations do a lot to make us feel sorry for Jim unlike the poem itself. Jim seems despondent - I like the fact that the images are contradicting the text.
What techniques can be seen?
There is a lot of play with Grey's placement of the text on certain pages. She also uses the pop-up and lift-the-flap to draw focus to the rhyming pattern of Belloc's poem or to add an element of surprise.
Cross-Curricular Links?
Children could be inspired to create their own pop-up book which illustrates a poem.
World to Text/Interttextual Links
I was reminded of two other texts when I read this. The first was Jim's Lion, illustrated by Alexis Deacon and the level of neglect shown to Jim reminded me of Not Now, Bernard
The story is told through Belloc's rhyming couplets.
How do the words and pictures work together?
Much like the layout in [b:The Stinky Cheese Man: And Other Fairly Stupid Tales|407429|The Stinky Cheese Man And Other Fairly Stupid Tales|Jon Scieszka|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1429385524s/407429.jpg|1814587] the font can change size depending on the emphasis Grey wants to place on certain words. This offers a nice opportunity for children to do similar with their own poems that they could illustrate.
The reader is drawn into finding the rhymes at times through rhyming words which are hidden under flaps. The illustrations do a lot to make us feel sorry for Jim unlike the poem itself. Jim seems despondent - I like the fact that the images are contradicting the text.
What techniques can be seen?
There is a lot of play with Grey's placement of the text on certain pages. She also uses the pop-up and lift-the-flap to draw focus to the rhyming pattern of Belloc's poem or to add an element of surprise.
Cross-Curricular Links?
Children could be inspired to create their own pop-up book which illustrates a poem.
World to Text/Interttextual Links
I was reminded of two other texts when I read this. The first was Jim's Lion, illustrated by Alexis Deacon and the level of neglect shown to Jim reminded me of Not Now, Bernard
More...