In
order to celebrate the Christmas holidays, I have chosen to write some reviews
on three books by one of my favourite authors and illustrators Mick Inkpen.
They are all ideal for the Christmas season and will appeal to both children
and adults alike.
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Published: 1999
Format: Hardback
Source: My own copy
Paperback printed October 2014
This
is one of the instalments in the much-loved “Kipper” series, which I adored as
a child and still love. As Kipper goes off to find the perfect Christmas tree
and invites his friends Tiger, Pig and Arnold round to his house, the book aims
to answer the important question – which is best, Christmas Eve or Christmas
Day? This is a very funny and warm-hearted story with timeless illustrations to
match, with the added bonus of a cute little mouse that follows Kipper around
after he finds the perfect Christmas tree. The last page of the original
hardback is particularly delightful, with a flashing red light located on the
reindeer hat that Arnold wears as he looks out of the window in anticipation
for Father Christmas.
Title: Kipper’s Snowy DayPublisher: Hodder Children's Books
Published: 2015 (reissue)
Format: Paperback
Source: My own copy
Another
brilliant instalment in the “Kipper” series, this book involves everyone's
favourite dog building a snowman with the help of his friend Tiger, who has
chosen to wear some funny looking accessories for keeping warm in the cold. Many
funny antics occur whilst he wears these garments, which are eventually used to
decorate the snowman. This all culminates in a wonderful picture of the snowman
at night time as the snow continues to fall down near the end of the story.
Like the other “Kipper” book, this is also a humorous text with the same
liveliness in its illustrations, with the friends taking part in snowball
fights and building the snowman to look just like Kipper.
Title: Threadbear
Author: Mick InkpenPublisher: Hodder Children's Books
Published: 2007
Format: Paperback
Source: My own copy
This
book is themed around toys and mainly focuses on Threadbear, a teddy bear whose
squeaker does not work because his toymaker filled him up with too much
stuffing. In order to solve this problem, the other toys recommend that he
visits Father Christmas and what follows is a magical journey. The amusing narrative
and the timeless pictures pair perfectly together to create a brilliant picture
book with a satisfying ending for both the audience and the characters. It is
not hard to see why, like the “Kipper” series, this story has also gone on to
be a picture book classic.
