...and why you will too!
We are delighted to finish off the blog tour for There is No Big Bad Wolf in This Story by Lou Carter and Deborah Allwright (Bloomsbury). This is another exciting and entertaining tale from the creators of the wonderful There is No Dragon in This Story.
We’ve read There is No Dragon in This Story so often that when recently dodging jellyfish at the beach, my four-year-old shouted: “There is no jellyfish in this story!” When we heard a sequel was coming out, we were thrilled. We have been eagerly awaiting the release of There is No Big Bad Wolf in This Story all year and it's even better than we imagined.
There is so much to love about this book but here are our top ten reasons to read it:
1. It’s hilarious
Between the text and the illustrations, there is so much comedy packed into these pages. 2. It’s theatrical
This story has a pantomime-like quality which makes it perfect for reading aloud.
3. It’s diverse and inclusive There’s a variety of ethnicities represented which means more children can see themselves in the story.
4. It demonstrates the value of teamwork We see how everyone benefits when we all work together and help each other out.
5. It shows that everyone is essential to their community
Even so-called “villains” have a vital role to play! 6. It emphasises the importance of appreciating others The other characters have been taking Wolf for granted and don’t realise how hard his job is, and how much they need him, until it’s too late.
7. It encourages empathy When the other characters understand Wolf’s perspective, the story’s problem can be resolved. 8. It’s playful and subversive
I love how this shows a different side to familiar fairy tale figures and takes us behind the scenes of classic stories. 9. Dragon is in it! There is No Dragon in this Story is one of our favourite books and we were delighted to see its main character make an appearance in this book too.
10. The illustrations
Deborah Allwright has illustrated some of the best picture books we own. Her lively images are full of amusing details. My kids and I especially enjoy the troll hiding under the bridge, Grandma’s legs protruding from a bush and her undergarments trailing from wolf’s bag. We're big fans of the impatient Gingerbread Man and his children are so cute. The expressions of all the protagonists are brilliant. Even minor characters like the cat and the apprehensive rabbits found in the backgrounds of many scenes react to the action with clearly perceptible emotions. Wolf’s exhaustion and frustration is palpable, and I love when he tosses Grandma’s bloomers in the air while storming off. All Wolf’s clocks are hilarious and it’s fantastic how the jokes are carried into the endpapers.
So there you have it – ten reasons why we love There is No Big Bad Wolf in This Story and why you will too. A huge thank you to the lovely people in Bloomsbury and Kaleidoscopic Tours for having us on this tour and for sharing this sensational story with us. All opinions expressed are our own. Make sure you visit all the previous stops and fantastic blogs to find out more about this fabulous book:
