Changes

|title=The Iron Man

|sort= Iron Man

|buy=Yes

|borrow=Yes

|pages=96

|publisher=Walker Books

|date=November 2010

|isbn=978-1406324679

}}

I love the beginning of ''The Iron Man'' where Hughes writes ''The Iron Man came to the top of the cliff. How far had he walked? Nobody knows. Where had he come from? Nobody knows. How was he made? Nobody knows.'' There is such style to his writing, a wonderful rhythm and lyrical feel, and he creates a clever mix of emotions about the Iron Man who is both terrifying and yet also, somehow, fragile.

The illustrations felt quite masculine - if I'd had to guess I would've thought a teenage boy had drawn them - so perhaps this edition will appeal to boys who don't want to be seen dead reading a picture book normally, but won't mind this artistic, stylised volume. Personally, I think whatever you think of the images the story will win through because it is such a good one. I love Hogarth (fabulous name for a character!) who lures the Iron Man into a trap but then feels guilty and who then saves the Iron Man and befriends him. I like how the Iron Man outsmarts the space-bat-angel-dragon, and how it is a small boy's faith in a huge giant of a man that saves the world. It's a story that is full of drama and suspense, action and emotion. Definitely recommended!

Further reading suggestion: For more classic children's literature try The Bookbag's [[Top Ten Classics of Children's Literature|Top Ten]].

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