This Book Belongs To Aye-Aye by Richard Byrne
| This Book Belongs To Aye-Aye by Richard Byrne | |
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| Category: For Sharing | |
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Reviewer: Keith Dudhnath
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| Summary: A quirky and amusing tale of Miss Deer's Academy For Aspiring Picture-Book Animals. With its smart plot, intriguing mystery, useful lessons and zingy illustrations, there's plenty to enjoy. Warmly recommended. Richard Byrne was kind enough to be interviewed by Bookbag. | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 32 | Date: June 2011 |
| Publisher: OUP Oxford | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 978-0192756190 | |
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Aye-Aye goes to Miss Deer's Academy For Aspiring Picture-Book Animals. Dontcha just love that concept? He's desperate to be in a book of his own, but he's not quite ready yet. Miss Deer announces that there's going to be a very special prize for the most helpful animal of the week. However, as the week goes on, the parameters of the competition seem to change, and the Rabbit Twins are up to their usual cheeky shenanigans.
This Book Belongs To Aye-Aye ticks all my boxes. I was smitten from the concept of the Academy, and charmed by Aye-Aye, whom the Rabbit Twins tells isn't cute or fluffy enough to be in a book. There's a strong school story in there, which is perfect for children starting nursery or school themselves. The lessons of helpfulness, creativity and teamwork are strongly made, but aren't awkwardly hammered home. There's a neatly unfolding mystery and some gentle baddies to amuse the audience. The writing is crisp and engaging, with enough depth to keep slightly older book fans entertained, whilst never leaving the very youngest feeling left out.
Richard Byrne's illustrations build upon the mood of the text perfectly. There's a slightly wild cartoony style to the characters, reminiscent of children's drawings. Every page creates a high-energy scene that draws you in. There's plenty of humour and excitement woven into the pictures and use of fonts - it's a beautifully designed book.
This Book Belongs To Aye-Aye is ideal for young children looking for a fun school story. There's plenty of silliness and energy, yet with messages woven into the smart plot. And if that's not enough, there are also instructions for making a paper hat at the end, and who doesn't love a bit of origami? Warmly recommended.
My thanks to the publishers for sending it to Bookbag.
Limelight Larry by Leigh Hodgkinson also plays with the concept of what a picture book is, and is also beautifully designed. Bravo, Boris! by Carrie Weston and Tim Warnes mixes a school story with lessons about helpfulness.
Richard Byrne was kind enough to be interviewed by Bookbag.
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You can read more book reviews or buy This Book Belongs To Aye-Aye by Richard Byrne at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
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