Thursday, May 3, 2007

The End

The End by David LaRochelle, illustrated by Richard Egielski



This is a delightful new addition to our picture book collection. The End is a fairy tale told in reverse with fantastical creatures like blue flying pigs. Page 1 begins with the words "The End" and cause and effect are followed back to the beginning of the story. Even the title page and verso are at the end of the book. (Is it still the verso in that location?)

I found this highly comical, including a fear of bunnies Buffy fans will appreciate. Both parents and children in a recent story time really enjoyed this title.

Miss Pea noted that the artwork is reminiscent of Sendak. She's right. The composition of the pictures, along with the colors and over sized heads give it a Sendakian feel. Charming.

I might pair it with:
The Knight and the Dragon by Tomie dePaolo
If I Had a Dragon by Amanda Ellery, illustrated by Tom Ellery
Falling for Rapunzel by Leah Wilcox, illustrated by Lydia Monks

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