Saturday 23 June 2012

Peanut : Review

The illustrations are gorgeous but...
Title: Peanut
Author/Illustrator: David Lucas
First Published: Walker Books Ltd 2008
This Edition: Walker Books Ltd 2009
Found: Borrowed from library








What's it all about?
A flower in a tree opens to reveal a monkey the size of a pea who turns brown like the colour of a nut: Peanut. (Cute)
The world is scary place to a monkey so small and who doesn't understand it. He thinks the insects are monsters that will eat him, when the wind blows he thinks his tree will be blown down and when the sun sets he thinks the whole sky is on fire. So when the night comes, he thinks it's the end...

This story sets out to show that the world is not such a scary place after all, especially when you make a friend... (well; I think this is where this book is going...)

Review:
Oh goodness. I truly dislike giving such a low rating to a picture book but this one did not capture the attention of my little book worm assistant at all. I am sorry to report that I couldn't enjoy it either.

The story was just too... loose. As I read it to OJ, I couldn't find a flow or rhythm. There was something missing. I liked the idea at the beginning; a cute little monkey in a flower... but it just didn't go anywhere and seemed pointless and flat, plus I felt the ending was abrupt,

Okay. So that was the painful, negative part to the review but there was a positive:

The illustrations were absolutely gorgeous!

The texture of the pictures looked like canvas. They were so well done. I think this was what drew me to this book as me and the mini bookworm were making our selection at the library It's just a shame that we "didn't get" or fully appreciate the subject of the text.

I was so disheartened that I looked for reviews other people had written, and it's mixed. I think the majority of people liked it, but then the reviews that were not so keen pointed out the same issues as I did.

I think you would have to check this one out for yourself and make you own assessment. Maybe OJ is too young to appreciate the concepts introduced in this book, but for me personally, I am glad this wasn't a purchase. I don't think I would read it again, and OJ wasn't asking for this one at bedtime either.

A real shame as the book itself is absolutely beautiful.

OJ
"Can we read Toot Toot Beep Beep now mum-mum?"

Oh dear.... Moving on...


Book worm rating:
out of 5

2 comments:

  1. Aw, I'm sorry this wasn't really for you and OJ. (He sounds adorable, by the way!)

    I really love seeing what you rate kiddies books because I have a little cousin, and your site has been really helpful picking new books for her to read! Thanks! :) xxx

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    Replies
    1. Hi Jessica,

      Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaank yooooooou! What a lovely comment. I really wanted this blog to be helpful to others chosing picture books for youngsters.

      I have lots of ideas for the blog but it's going to take some time. I would like to eventually ask authors to guest post etc but I don't know where to start!

      Your comment has really made my day!

      :-) xxx

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