This delightful picture book could well qualify as a child's first foray into the horror genre - in a whimsically creepy sort of way. This story, told in rhyming couplets, features "two children, their diminutive but no less courageous gazelle, and a large number of extremely dangerous trolls, monsters, bugbears, creatures, and other such nastinesses, many of which have perfectly disgusting eating habits and ought not, under any circumstances, to be encouraged." I had no idea that Neil Gaiman had written a picture book until I read Chris's irresistible review of it. Thanks, Chris!The two children take a spooky boat ride into the hidden underbelly of the city, replete with all the nasty creatures mentioned above. Their exciting adventures are recounted in simple rhyming couplets, and the wonderful accompanying illustrations offer a variety of objects that start with each alphabet letter. My children, well beyond the usual age for alphabet books (seven and nine years old), had a great time reading the book with me, looking for objects that started with each letter - as well as the out-of-order letters. My seven-year-old was particularly taken with the children's pet, bursting out as we read with, "I just LOVE the gazelle!"
This book might not be for every child, but for those who enjoy a bit of creepy atmosphere and humorously gruesome characters, it's a must-read. And a great gift idea for Halloween!
The Dangerous Alphabet by Neil Gaiman; illustrated by Gris Grimly (HarperCollins Publishers, 2008)
Also reviewed at:
Fis-hingforanthea
Phoenix & Dragon Wings
I just read this book a few weeks ago and thought it was just so weirdly funny. Definitely the kind of thing slightly older kids might found hilarious.
ReplyDeleteI agree - I found it hard to choose an age range because I think it's appealing to all ages (at least to those who enjoy this sort of thing), but maybe not the really young ones, who might not see the humor. I'm glad you enjoyed it too!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that you and your kids enjoyed this one Darla!! This book made me wish that I had children just so that I could read it to them. But I'll be saving it for when I do (like I would throw any other book away). It was such a fun little book and I loved the illustrations. It was the first time I had seen any of Grisly's work and I really liked it!
ReplyDeleteWe really did enjoy it, Chris - and it's the kind of thing it's fun to reread because you see new things every time. I'd never seen the artist's work before, either, but now I'm definitely going to be on the lookout for it. He has a fitting name, don't you think? :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks again for the review!
This book sounds fantastic. I'll have to look for it.
ReplyDeleteI hinted to my family very strongly that this would make the perfect Mother's Day gift...but alas it was there under the old Mother's Day tree. :( Guess I'll just have to buy it myself.
ReplyDeleteWhy haven't I ordered this yet?? What's wrong with me?
ReplyDeleteHe has a few other picture books that you and your children might enjoy: The Wolves in the Walls and The Day I Swamped my Dad for Two Goldfish. But are great, but I'm particularly fond of The Wolves in the Walls!
In other words, it’s like a creepy Dr. Suess? Lol
ReplyDeleteThatsthebook - yes, it is a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteDebi - Oh, I'm sorry to hear about that. Sometimes the best gifts are the ones we give ourselves. :-)
Nymeth - I admit that I'm surprised you don't have this one! We love The Wolves as well as The Day I Swapped my Dad - they are wonderful!
Ladytink - Creepy Dr. Seuss? Now there's an oxymoron! :-D
I think I would like that book! Thanks for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! I hope you enjoy it!
ReplyDeletewal mart pharmacy online ordering http://drugstore4.com/fr/product/ed-discount-pack-2.html citalopram canadian pharmacy canada celexa prices [url=http://drugstore4.com/de/product/zithromax.html]zithromax[/url]
ReplyDeleteliverpool pharmacy appeal http://drugstore4.com/de/product/himalaya-evercare-caps.html walmart pharmacy in erie pa [url=http://drugstore4.com/de/product/celecoxib.html]free overseas pharmacys[/url]
pharmacy sale abbeville http://drugstore4.com/de/product/adalat.html pharmacy and therapuetics committee [url=http://drugstore4.com/de/category/krebs.html]krebs[/url]
lori diem pharmacy http://drugstore4.com/de/product/arava.html canada pharmacy celexa [url=http://drugstore4.com/de/product/lisinopril-tabs.html]san diego compounding pharmacy[/url]