Well hello to you. How have you been? Good, thank you (that is me assuming you returned the kind words). Carrying on. I was looking through my bookshelf wondering what book I would do my next review on. That's when I pulled out my copy of The Boy Who Cried Ninja. Sweet sweet memories of first discovering this book then came flooding back and I knew I had to let you all in on the quirky and amusing stylings of Mr Alex Latimer. I have just two of his books (I unfortunately haven't gotten around to buying any more seeing as I am a university student and live off 2 minute noodles) but them alone stand as a fantastic addition to my children's literature library. Background knowledge about the author in a format which will not make you want to scroll down the page...although if you want to...go ahead. No judging here. • Based in Cape Town, South Africa • First book The Boy Who Cried Ninja published in 2011 • Has published several other picture books since then and in his spare time, writes and illustrates for magazines and such. • Also, he has a blog (of course he does...who doesn't have a blog these days). Click here to check it out. 1. The Boy Who Cried NinjaOnto the books! The Boy Who Cried Ninja tells the story of a young boy called Tim who nobody believes as he gives rather absurd excuses to his parents when strange things begin to happen around the house, however this time Tim isn't lying. When the last piece of cake goes missing, Tim explains to his mum that is was a rogue ninja who ate it and when asked why he didn't finish his homework, he explains that it was because a giant squid came and ate his backpack. And so the excuses keep coming. Tim's parents are fed up and send him to go and rake all the leaves up in the backyard. Tim doesn't like to be considered a liar so whilst fulfilling his punishment he creates a cunning plan to prove to his parents, once and for all, that he is innocent whilst shining some light on the actual perpetrators of these strange happenings. A play on the original tale of The boy who cried wolf, this book is witty and lighthearted and humorously addresses ideas around believing children. This picture book is perfect for younger readers. Through absurdism and humour, Latimer gets the child reader on his side as the illustrations clearly prove to the audience that Tim is telling the truth. From the Pirate who lives in the cupboard to the time travelling monkey who has a particularly good aim, Latimer's quirky characters deliver on the cuteness scale as well as depicting the weird and wonderful nature of childhood imagination coming to life. A wonderful story to share with the kids or in my case, the classroom. Onto the next book chaps! 2. Penguin's Hidden Talent Can we take a moment, before I continue, to acknowledge the fact that the protagonist in this story - the penguin to the right - is wearing bunny slippers whilst holding a cup of coffee?! This is a freakishly accurate depiction of me in the morning...apart from the fact that, you know, I'm not a penguin. Like the previous book, this story is equal parts cute and quirky. I first came across this book whilst browsing the children's book section of the Beecroft Bookshop. (Side note - I believe the soundtrack to my discovery of this little Children's Bookshop was Belinda Carlisle's Heaven is a Place On Earth). The man on the counter must of thought it was rather weird as I sat in a tiny green chair (either made for children or ridiculously tiny women) and giggled away as I turned the pages of this picture book. The story follows Penguin's (originally named) pursuit to find his own talent. In his town, all the other creatures are preparing for the annual talent quest and Penguin feels rather left out as he has yet to discover his own. In his attempts to discover his talent he realises he can't bake, read a map or juggle household appliances...amongst a list of other things. Feeling sorry for their seemingly untalented friend, the contestants decide to throw Penguin a party which we come to find is a talent none of them house. With a single balloon, an incorrectly spelt banner and a half eaten loaf of bread, Penguin decides to turn the party around and it is here that his true talent is revealed. Alex Latimer has done it again! Who would of thought that a story about a Penguin party planner would be so entertaining but this book is just so darn cute. Not only is it entertaining but truthful in its portrayal of how everyone has a hidden talent and sometimes it takes a particularly random situation or occurrence for it to be brought to your or others attention. Simple, colour blocked illustrations paired with an easy to follow storyline lends this text to be read as a possible bed time story which could then be read independently by the child at reading age. Funny and light hearted, this story is definitely one to be enjoyed.
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AuthorBook lover, tea drinker and Primary School teacher. Archives
April 2017
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