The Little Moon Theatre ¦ The Hairy Monster
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Cover Story
Through star filled skies on Christmas Eve Kay Harker, in a sleigh pulled by eight unicorns and driven by Herne the Hunter, returns in triumph to Tatchester. The illustration on the cover of this issue of BfK is by Faith Jaques and is taken from The Box of Delights, a newly illustrated edition of John Masefield's classic children's book, abridged by Patricia Crampton and published by Heinemann, 0 434 95052 1, £7.95. A paperback edition (without colour plates) is available from Fontana Lion (0 00 572415 9, £1.50). We are grateful to Heinemann and Fontana for help in using this illustration.
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Send to friendThe Little Moon Theatre
The Hairy Monster
Illustrated by Pef
Translated by Adrian Sington
Two more from this distinctive and always-interesting list. Haas' story, with miniature, delicate, pastel illustrations well-suited to the series' format, is a wistfully-told 'story within a story'. A little travelling theatre makes people's wishes come true. The rhythm and movement is splendidly caught in the telling and a coherent, magical world is created. Rich characterisation, too: I can see this becoming a childhood favourite.
Bichonnier's very different tale, is splendidly illustrated by Pef to catch the quirky, eccentric nature of the Little Princess Lucy's being saved from the Hairy dragon by Prince Charming: she's a spirited little girl and deserves a better fate. I think the sixes-up will cotton on to the televisual 'send up' of the traditional fairy tale genre. Well worth having in a classroom collection. The author and artist are highly popular in France: thanks to the imaginative editors for bringing worthwhile continental work to our shores.
