Billy and the Barglebogle
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Cover Story
This issue’s cover is from the gift edition of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory illustrated by Quentin Blake and with design and typography by Peter Campbell. The successful collaboration between Roald Dahl and Quentin Blake has played an important part in the popularity of Dahl’s work over the last fifteen years. Blake’s unmistakable artwork truly complements Dahl’s writing. His economical, amiable, illustrative style balances out Dahl’s often expansive language. And the liveliness, humour and pathos of the drawings offer a softer side to Dahl’s sometimes gloriously grotesque, sometimes cruel descriptions of his characters.
Thanks to Penguin Children’s Books for their help in producing this July cover which commemorates the thirty years anniversary of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’s first UK publication.
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Billy and the Barglebogle
Illustrated by Peter Utton
Bright and humorous watercolour illustrations are the perfect complement to an original and ultimately warm picture book tale about sibling jealousy disguised as sibling protection. Billy's mum brings home the new baby but another new arrival, in the form of the shadowy Barglebogle, who can't be seen by Mum or Dad, perplexes Billy. When Billy realises the Barglebogle is after the baby and that he is the person who can protect her, he begins a series of battles with the bogeyman. Billy's assertiveness finally sees off the menace for good, enabling him to concentrate on playing with his baby sister. A well-crafted, visually attractive and gentle book to be enjoyed on different levels by children and adults alike. The subtle techniques in the loose watercolour illustrations, outlined in soft pencil, make the book particularly appealing. Unobtrusive political correctness is observed, with 'new man' dad donning an apron to deal with a dirty nappy.
