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Revision as of 09:05, 10 July 2011
, 09:05, 10 July 2011no edit summary
It's very much a message book, but that isn't its only strength. The pacing is spot on, allowing the plot to shine. The vocabulary will stretch and develop younger readers, but they'll always understand what's going on and won't feel lost. They may not know the phrase ''The spoils of war'', but when the General exclaims this, they'll understand what it means, and also the more sophisticated point that the General's country hasn't taken these things from the little country. The little country has conquered the aggressor, simply by setting a kind example.
David McKee's illustrations are excellent, as always. This, after all, is the man who gave us [[The Extraordinary Adventures of Mr Benn by David McKee|Mr Benn]] and [[Elmer and the Hippos by David McKee|Elmer]]. The pictures are deceptively simple, yet full of character and expression. Each page perfectly illustrates the unfolding plot and has plenty for inquisitive young eyes to pore over. Some parents might be concerned about how war would be depicted in a picture book. There's just one page of war in ''The Conquerors'' and the tone is spot on: it's not remotely gruesome or scary, but it's not whitewashed over as some people are dead. It will spark conversation between children and parents, as will the whole book.
''The Conquerors'' should have a place on every child's bookshelf. It's a great story in its own right, but its message means it has valuable lessons woven deep into it. Highly recommended.
