This book was reviewed for me alone, as it is far too scary for my 5 year old to read. I was very interested in how Neil Gaiman would do this alphabet of his. The poem that takes us through the alphabet is very dark, and very Gaiman. An excerpt that showcases this is: “E’s for the evil, that lures and entices, F is for Fear, and its many devices;”
It turns out that as cool as the storyline is, I was more interested in the artwork that was done by Gris Grimly. One every page is a letter, and in each page you search for pictures of objects that begin with it, for example, M, you find maggots on the page. I really loved this dark,creepy book, and now I am very interested in reading more of Gris Grimlys works.
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Page Count: 32 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins
What to expect: scary images, monsters, children in chains, I would stick to the ages listed of 9-12, even though my 5 year old can and did try to read it while I wasn’t watching, it is NOT for the younger set.
Publisher’s synopsis:A is for Always, that’s where we embark . . . Two children, treasure map in hand, and their pet gazelle sneak past their father, out of their house, and into a world beneath the city, where monsters and pirates roam. Will they find the treasure? Will they make it out alive? The Dangerous Alphabet is a tale of adventure, piracy, danger, and heroism told in twenty-six alphabetical lines — although even the alphabet is not to be relied upon here. A delightfully dangerous journey from national bestselling author Neil Gaiman and the monstrously talented Gris Grimly, The Dangerous Alphabet is sure to captivate and chill young readers.
About the Author:Bestselling author Neil Gaiman has long been one of the top writers in modern comics, as well as writing books for readers of all ages. He is listed in the Dictionary of Literary Biography as one of the top ten living post-modern writers, and is a prolific creator of works of prose, poetry, film, journalism, comics, song lyrics, and drama.
His New York Times bestselling 2001 novel for adults, American Gods, was awarded the Hugo, Nebula, Bram Stoker, SFX, and Locus awards, was nominated for many other awards, including the World Fantasy Award and the Minnesota Book Award, and appeared on many best-of-year lists.
About the Illustrator: Gris Grimly, known as the “Creator of the Bizarre”, is an original and unique artist publishing a variety of children’s books and working as an author, illustrator, fine artist, sculptor, and film-maker. Gris draws upon the influence of artists such as Dr. Seuss, Tim Burton, and Frank Miller for his grim and macabre illustrations.
Our Rating: 5 out of 5
I thought the artwork was really the star of that book as well.
This sounds like a fun way for kids to learn the alphbet and how to read at the same time. Something different from the usual.
Tony Peters
Kids on a Case: The Case of the Ten Grand Kidnapping
http://authortonypeters.blogspot.com/
I just recently saw this book. It is disgusting. I am appalled that Harper Collins would publish such evil tripe. And the inside flap says it is meant for ages 5 and up?
Children shackled to a wall, children being boiled alive in a cauldron, demons standing on the backs of children as if they are footstools to stir the cauldron, a little girl being kidnapped by a “monster” who has its hand covering her mouth so she cannot scream, children in shackles being led to be made into pies, children in straight jackets, a fence with children's heads impaled on the posts… but you might give this to a 9-year-old? The idea of murdering children is so amusing to you that you'd like to share it with child? And you're not embarrassed to admit this? Really?
As far as the artwork, it lacks skill, is juvenile, and looks as if it was ripped from a goth teenager's sketchbook.
This book should have never even been published, in my opinion. But what is even more disconcerting, is the fact that there are people buying it for their children and publicly giving it good reviews.
I published your comment Mick, only to prove a point for people to please read my reviews entirely.
*I* myself enjoyed the book, I said it was far too scary for my 5 year old and never wrote that I found it amusing to share with my child.
It's up to other parents to make the choices for their own children, I can only warn them how scary it really is.
I most certainly did not misquote you, Ms. Johnston. I respectfully read your review thoroughly and entirely. And my disagreement was not intended to spur an argument. I will, however, correct you.
Some of your words that I referred to were: “scary images, monsters, children in chains, I would stick to the ages listed of 9-12″
So, although you wouldn't give this book to your five-year-old, once he reaches age 9 (or 10, 11 or 12), you feel this book which depicts torture and murder of children would be suitable. I wholeheartedly disagree. This book has no place on any child's bookshelf.
And you did indeed admit that you enjoyed this book. An adult, and a mother who works on a team which deems itself “The Super Mom” doesn't find this book at all disturbing, being that it depicts evil intentions towards children, firstly, and secondly, that it was written FOR children (again, inside flap: “ages 5 and up”), and lastly, that many children are plagued by fears and nightmares which a book like this would definitely fuel? Not to mention the ideas it could place in a child's mind, or the scars it could leave behind. This book is absolutely “dangerous”, as its title states. Its sick, twisted, and if these had been photos rather than scrawly illustrations, I wonder if your review would have been different.
This book and your review are very irresponsible in my opinion. And I make no apologies for that opinion. I hope that you would rethink yours.
Well, if we can't have books that involve the murder of children, we'd have to give up the Harry Potter series. And Lemony Snickett.. hmmm that witch in Wizard of Oz wasn't very nice. In Snow White the Evil Stepmother/Queen wants to cut Snow White's heart out.. guess we all have to stick to Winnie the Pooh and Teletubbies.