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rainbowofcrazy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I loved this book! I'm not sure I would've liked this when I was a kid, but it's charming even if a smidge dark/sad. Otilla and the skull's friendship was darling. Love Jon Klassen's art (I Want My Hat Back, anyone?) and the art in this book was charming and beautiful.
"Would you give me some tea, please?" said the skull.
Otilla took a teacup and poured the tea through his mouth onto the chair.
"Ah, nice and warm," said the skull. "Thank you."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Fire/Fire injury
lilhill's review
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Stalking
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
meganpbell's review
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Cozy horror for little kids! This sweetly unsettling, whimsically creepy, warmly chilling, surprisingly funny picture book is inspired by an old Tyrolean fairy tale about a girl who runs away from home and befriends a skull, itself fleeing a skeleton, in an ancient castle in a deep dark wood. Like the old, old fairy tales, the narrative simplicity here leaves you with more questions than answers, inviting you to savor the spooky and make friends with mystery.
Content Warnings
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Stalking, Body horror, Death, and Violence
missindyrose's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
The Skull: A Tyrolean Folktale, is a delightfully macabre, reflective and humorous tale of a girl named Otilla, a Skull, and a Skeleton. And shows that there’s always time for tea, even when having a bonfire.
Told with Jon’s signature, delightful writing style alongside his incredibly expressive illustrations, I had so much fun reading (and then re-reading and re-reading this) this story.
Folktale, myth and fairytale retellings are a quick sure way to grab my attention, plus add in my favourite author/illustrator Jon Klassen and you have a done deal. This story has definitely cemented itself as a favourite of mine.
The final copy will have a much loved and prized spot on my bookshelf alongside the Hat trilogy when it’s released, and I am already planning a costume (complete with Skull) for book week later this year.
Told with Jon’s signature, delightful writing style alongside his incredibly expressive illustrations, I had so much fun reading (and then re-reading and re-reading this) this story.
Folktale, myth and fairytale retellings are a quick sure way to grab my attention, plus add in my favourite author/illustrator Jon Klassen and you have a done deal. This story has definitely cemented itself as a favourite of mine.
The final copy will have a much loved and prized spot on my bookshelf alongside the Hat trilogy when it’s released, and I am already planning a costume (complete with Skull) for book week later this year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
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