Scan barcode
A review by katykelly
Frankenstiltskin by Joseph Coelho
5.0
Excellent 'mash-up', featuring death and decay but... wholesomely?
I've read one of this series before, and really enjoy the dark way it's twisted to still be palatable and child-friendly, but with just the right amount of gleeful gruesomeness and morbidity.
Sound like your child may like? A mix of - well - Rumpelstiltskin and Frankenstein, a taxidermist called Bryony is forced to go and work for the King after her father boasts her skills with a needle can 'bring your pets back to life'. There's hype for you.
Following the formula and story well known in the fairy tale, she must prove her skill to retain her breathing privileges - but why? What does the king want? And who is the little creature so keen to help her?
Not many children's stories feature taxidermists. It also manages to talk about animal conservation and grief, so really does cover quite a lot.
Half text and half illustration (the stitches and ickyness of the subject matter are nicely conveyed in these), this flies by, only taking a short time to read. Short chapters make it suitable for newly confident readers as well, but the subject may still appeal to those at the end of Primary school.
Fab idea for a series, and neither too babyish as a fairy tale or too mature in its subject matter. Just right.
For ages 6-11.
With thanks to Walker Books for providing a sample reading copy.
I've read one of this series before, and really enjoy the dark way it's twisted to still be palatable and child-friendly, but with just the right amount of gleeful gruesomeness and morbidity.
Sound like your child may like? A mix of - well - Rumpelstiltskin and Frankenstein, a taxidermist called Bryony is forced to go and work for the King after her father boasts her skills with a needle can 'bring your pets back to life'. There's hype for you.
Following the formula and story well known in the fairy tale, she must prove her skill to retain her breathing privileges - but why? What does the king want? And who is the little creature so keen to help her?
Not many children's stories feature taxidermists. It also manages to talk about animal conservation and grief, so really does cover quite a lot.
Half text and half illustration (the stitches and ickyness of the subject matter are nicely conveyed in these), this flies by, only taking a short time to read. Short chapters make it suitable for newly confident readers as well, but the subject may still appeal to those at the end of Primary school.
Fab idea for a series, and neither too babyish as a fairy tale or too mature in its subject matter. Just right.
For ages 6-11.
With thanks to Walker Books for providing a sample reading copy.