The Deep Dark Wood

This is a full on story from the first page, because it instantly gets us into the deep dark wood, rather than starting off with the little heroine. She, like some clever heroines before her, doesn’t enter until the fourth spread giving the author ample time to set the scene and describe all the witches, giants and big bad wolf lurking in the dangerous wood. Innocently taken in by the wicked wolf’s sly tales, the ‘sweet little girl’ pairs up with the hungry creature, and we fear for her. But is she really so innocent? When we discover her friend at the end is none other than a big scary monster who frightens the pursuers away, we realize that sweet little girls are not always as they seem.

Richly coloured, boldy dark pictures with sudden iridescent shocks of luminous colour decorated with dense childlike pattern and texture invite us in. The wonderful light and dark contrasts and daft creatures keep us from being totally scared. For every kid who loves a bit of a thrill laced with humour, this is perfect. The ending too is a lovely, cheeky surprise.