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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
Yes, this is a kid's book and yes, it took about 2 minutes to read, but I loved it. Typical Snicket awesomeness, and the illustrations were also perfect. Going to have to buy a copy for mine to enjoy as well.
A great book for kids who are afraid of the dark. This book has foreboding moments but a lighthearted tone nonetheless.
Meh. Would be great for kids who are afraid of the dark, but doesn't have wider appeal, unfortunately.
This was actually kind of scary until the part where it became not scary -- and we learned that the dark isn't so bad.
Such a good book! I even read it out-loud to myself which made it awesome. Seriously, if you are looking for a fun book to do for storytime (especially if you're good at voices because this would totally lend itself to doing some fun voices), this book is awesome. It's also very clever, but that's what one would expect from a Lemony Snicket book. So much goodness! Thanks, Summer, for recommending it in the first place. :)
The Lemony Snicket/Jon Klassen pairing is every bit the genius product I had hoped. Quite a scary book before it gets un-scary! That matte black darkness!
Maybe I'm not as scared of the dark now myself! Great illustrations, wonderful story. A must read for those with or without children.
The use of repetition to build tension and the use of negative space--particularly placing the dark's dialog in ... the dark--is effective and satisfying. This is also one of the rarer creepy picture books that doesn't resolve itself completely: rather than breaking the tension, it smoothly channels it into character growth. I have nitpicks (like the affected, unproductive ink splatters) and this isn't as remarkable or memorable as the best of children's literature. But it's successful, and the sort of thing I'd hope for from Lemony Snicket.
