How’s that for a title!
If you’ve got a good ear and memory, you might remember “Whizzpopping” from BFG. If not, you might have to read the subtitle to get a real sense of this book by Stella Caldwell: “The stories, characters, and inventions of Roald Dahl.”
I know, I know. Dahl aims at an older crowd, and his works, while often illustrated, are not really picture books. But, I would argue, they have a great picture book sensibility. Kids are enjoying the ideas and stories in James and the Giant Peach or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory long before they can read the books themselves.
And this book, which is a celebration of Roald Dahl’s career in the form of an artist scrapbook, is more image-rich than most picture books. It’s also illustrated by Quentin Blake, who wrote and/or illustrated over 500 books, and whose bendy, cartoonish style calls to kids.
In short, if you like Dahl, or are curious about him, pick this up at the library and give it a go.
