School fair, second-hand book shops. We know where to get the hard stuff.
And just occasionally we strike really lucky: not just kids’ books, not just good kids’ books – but the ones we have loved, had to give back to the library, and then finally got our hands on our own copy.
These are the kind of books that you can read together, and reread, and read yet again.
And you are still laughing as you do. Both of you. That is the kind of book worth hunting for – and claiming when you encounter it again.
So by these exacting standards, we have struck particularly lucky recently. And the set of books is so good that it merits a further Lit Kid this week.
Here’s what we found:
The Troll – Julia Donaldson, David Roberts. Julia Donaldson is well known (Gruffalo et al), David Roberts does his own author illustrator stuff (and I’ve waxed lyrical about some of this too). Together: tremendous.
The Troll is a mash-up – running two different stories or genres together – and a great example as such. In this case we get a reworked troll, who really doesn’t terrify the billy goats he encounters, and a set of hapless pirates, hunting for treasure.
I will say little more, because I really want you to read it for yourself and admire how cleverly the two stories are woven together. But I will gave you an appetiser: better than the pirates’ own:
‘That night it was Peg Polkadot’s turn to do the cooking. She cooked fishcakes.
“They’re sticky,” said Ben Buckle.
“They’re sandy,” said Percy Patch.
Hank Chief said nothing. He was too busy being sick over the side of the ship.’
Hiccup the Viking Who Was Seasick – Cressida Cowell
I have written, happily, about Cressida Cowell’s hero Hiccup, and I am sure I shall do so again.
But it took a while to remember that, long before the boys discovered the film, and the series of chapter books, Junior Reader and I had borrowed this story from the library.
It marks the very beginnings of the hero Hiccup will become.
Cowell is notable for her loose and funny illustrations as well as her prose. In picture book format, this works just fine, as the pictures get even more attention (and colour too).
I particularly liked the description of the venerable Old Wrinkly, Hiccup’s grandfather: ‘…his breath was like being kissed by mackerel’.
There are more books which we are pleased about finding, but I shall cut the list short, and tell you one more:
Eco-Wolf and the Three Pigs – Laurence Anholt, Arthur Robins.
Laurence Anholt has produced books together with his wife Catherine – and we own a couple of these.
But I have to say that my affection is entirely swayed by this title, one in a series of ‘seriously silly stories’, all retelling classic fairy tales in a very light and entertaining way.
We have acquired a few of these now, but Eco-Wolf was the first. Recast as the original Valley dweller, he is a hippy going up against the bad pigs who have lots of nefarious (and environmentally UNfriendly) building schemes.
I will steel myself not to add his immortal line, which comes near the end of the story, but treat you to a little of the dialogue vibe.
(This scene follows the pigs’ first building project, which included felling some old oaks, and Eco-Wolf has a meeting with the other local animals.)
‘ “Hey, wild warrior brother-sisters,” said Eco-Wolf. “I don’t dig these big pigs. Those trees were kind of like my sister-brothers too. It makes me huff and puff, man.” ‘
The point, as I’m sure you’ll realise, is not just reading the story, and enjoying the pictures, to your own junior reader. Like, you have to do the accents too, man.
I can’t promise your local second-hand book opportunities will turn up these gems. But at least check them out at the library, and do your reading times a favour.