Books For Keeps
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Articles
  • Past Issues
  • Latest Issue
  • Authors and Artists
  • Latest News
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
September 1, 2020/in Picture Book 5-8 Infant/Junior /by bookskeeps
BfK Rating:
BfK 244 September 2020
Reviewer: Sarah Gallagher
ISBN: 1471181693
Price: £5.94
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's UK
Genre: Picture Book
Age Range: 5-8 Infant/Junior
Length: 32pp
  • Illustrated by: Ben Mantle
Buy the Book

King of the Swamp

Author: Catherine EmmettIllustrator: Ben Mantle

This picture book has a great message about protecting the environment and all things natural. McDarkly loves his swamp and likes being on his own with nature. He tends his garden carefully and has great plans to grow orchids. Until one day when a rather conceited, pompous King rides by and declares that the swamp is stinky and slimy and must be turned into a roller skate park.

Although McDarkly explains his swamp is about to become the home of beautiful orchids the King doesn’t give way.This causes McDarkly to despair but he is given a ray of hope when the King’s daughter, who has accompanied the King, says she would like to see those orchids and study them. So the King, as in lots of good tales, lays down a time limit and says McDarkly has 10 days to ‘buck up your ways! The WHOLE of this swamp best be bursting with grace, Or soon I’ll be skating all over this place!’

The font is fun and clear along with great drawings showing the characters very well. I’m sure children will enjoy the main character-McDarkly- but also the smaller illustrations of the King and his court. It’s a great message and will be a big hit, I’m sure, with any mini eco warriors out there.

There is a lovely ending and all is well although with a little twist so it’s not quite as straightforward as you might initially think which keeps the reader on their toes.

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
https://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/king-of-the-swamp.jpg 500 432 bookskeeps http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bfklogo.png bookskeeps2020-09-01 14:33:002021-02-25 14:34:53King of the Swamp

Search for a specific review

Author Search

Search







Generic filters




Filter by Member Types


Book Author

BfK 254 May 2022 Download BfK Issue BfK 254 May 2022
Skip to an Issue:

About Us

Launched in 1980, we’ve reviewed hundreds of new children’s books each year and published articles on every aspect of writing for children.

Read More

Follow Us

Latest News

Peter Bently and Steven Lenton named winners of The Children’s Book Award 2022

June 27, 2022

Shortlist for the 2022 SLA Information Book Award

June 23, 2022

2022 Yoto Carnegie Greenaway Winners Announced

June 16, 2022

Contact Us

Books for Keeps,
30 Winton Avenue,
London,
N11 2AT

Telephone: 0780 789 3369

ISSN: 0143-909X (this is our International Standard Serial Number).

© Copyright 2022 - Books For Keeps | Proudly Built by Lemongrass Media - Web Design Buckinghamshire
I’ll Believe You When…Unbelievable Idioms from around the World Just One of Those Days
Scroll to top