Michael's Monsters
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Cover Story
The cover of this issue is a design incorporating illustrations from four books illustrated by the subject of our Authorgraph, Ian Beck. The top left illustration is from Five Little Ducks (Orchard), the top right from Poppy and Pip's Picnic (to be published Autumn '97 by HarperCollins), the bottom left from The Owl and the Pussy-cat (Transworld) and the bottom right from Home Before Dark (to be published September '97 by Scholastic). Ian Beck's Picture Book (Hippo) is reviewed in this issue.
Beck talks to BfK's interviewer, Julia Eccleshare, also in this issue. His distinctive decorative style with its sensitive pen line and cross hatching has a nostalgic but sometimes also a surreal quality - he describes it as 'a look that is floating, strong and wistful all at the same time'.
Thanks to Orchard, HarperCollins, Transworld and Scholastic for their help in producing this composite cover.
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Michael's Monsters
Whilst there are a number of books that deal with the theme of imaginary monsters lurking around the house, this one stands out. It appeals on a variety of levels - the blind panic of the child weighing up which is lesser of two evils - wet underpants or going upstairs alone - and the irritation of family members appealed to, yet again, to stop everything and accompany him to the loo. All is resolved when Michael's father dispels the monsters one by one - or is it? The quirky, friendly style of illustration provides a reassuring note for the child sharing the book who feels secure in their knowledge that the 'monsters' are really everyday domestic objects. The twist at the end is brilliant - Michael's father is suddenly terrified when he too sees a monster. Improbably, he repeats Michael's own words 'Quick! Stand at the bottom of the stairs ... 'Help' or 'Aaaarrrgh!' would have been our Year Two editors' preferred alternatives!