The Nubbler
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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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The Nubbler
Illustrated by Caroline Crossland
I was initially prejudiced against this book because of its celebrity author with her celebrity photo on the back of the dust jacket - but there is much to like about it. The Nubbler is a strange, dragon-like creature who comes to help Rufus through the pain of parental arguments and separation, show him what the future can be like and give him a gentle shove in the right direction at opportune moments. Whilst some of the school details jar a little the incidents at home are clearly and sensitively described and more than once I found a lump in my throat as I read. Racism and bullying also feature. If and when the paperback comes out, this would make a good class reader for Years 6 to 8.
