A truly under-rated classic (Jabberwocky - Lewis Carroll)

Member Name: allybally

Product:	Jabberwocky - Lewis Carroll
Date:	12/12/06 (223 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Imaginative, unique, witty, clever and funny

Disadvantages: It is too short

I get discouraged sometimes by many of the books coming out these days for children and I often find myself turning back to books I read as a child or that I can remember my father reading to me from the edge of the bed. This is one of those books and I hope my kids will be reading it to their children one day too.

Author: Lewis Carroll
Illustrator: Joel Stewart
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Published Date: 2003
Pages: 32
RRP: £11.99 Amazon Price: from £6.49
Genre: Children's Fantasy Poetry
Age Suitability: 4 - 104

About the Author
Lewis Carroll, born Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, born in 1832 was an author, mathematician, photographer and even an Anglican clergyman. However, he is best known for his famous writings Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and its sequel through the Looking Glass.

From a young age, Carroll wrote poetry and short stories for which he received moderate success. Between1854 and 1856, his work, mostly humourous and often satirical began appearing in the national publications.

He changed his name to Lewis - the anglicised version of Lutwidge Carroll - the anglicised version of Charles in 1856.

About the Illustrator
Joel Stewart is not only an illustrator of children's picture books but also an accomplished artist with an eye for detail.

Stewart, interestingly grew up in a commune somewhere in the wilds near Barnsley. Illustrating was in his blood as his grandfather was also in this line of business. He studied at Falmouth College of Arts and managed to obtain first class honours for his efforts.

Lately, Stewart has risen to the challenge of writing his own picture books as well as illustrating them in his unique and some might say bizarre fashion.

Other works by Joel Stewart include the award winning Adventures of Nose, The Magic Paintbrush, Roald Dahl's Song and Verse, Moon Zoo and When a Zeeder Met a Xyder.

About Jabberwocky
As many of you undoubtedly know, Lewis Carroll dealt in the obscure realms of the imagination. Jabberwocky, a poem originally found in Through the Looking Glass is by no means any acception.

In this poem written and published in 1871, Carroll manages to actually create a new and yet understandable language of his own while also using Portmanteaux. (A mix of two words - aren't I smart!) Some of the words used in the poem such as chortled and galumphing have gone on to be incorporated into today's English Language as recognisable and acceptable.


Plot Summary
"Beware the Jabberwock my son!
The jaws that bite, the claws that catch!
Beware the Jubjub Bird, and Shun
the frumious Bandersnatch!"

The Poem tells the story of a brave little boy who hunts down and slays the fierce and feared Jabberwock.

Opinion of Jabberwocky
The poem itself originally had quite a dark and sinister feel to it, and I can imagine many a child lying awake at night terrified not of the boogie monster lurking under their bed, but the Jabberwock. Imagine, a small child setting off with only a sword (or vorpal) for protection to track down and (hopefully) kill the dreaded monster that had the whole town petrified!

It is I believe thanks to the imaginative illustrations of Joel Stewart that I even feel comfortable reading this to my 2 year old son. The pictures are drawn with a softness that dilutes the violence of the poem. The story is given a magical fairy like feel to it with small villagers who live in hammocks at the tops of trees, and the older winged ones playing accordions and banjo's to lull the young ones to sleep.

"One, two! One, two! And through and through
The vorpal blade went snicker-snack!
He left it dead, and with its head
He went galumphing back."

Even the images used to describe the verse in which the brave boy manages to catch and slay the creature are done in a creative and un-offensive manner. When the Jabberwocky is cut into pieces, his innards can be seen as mechanical machinery similar to that of a clock or a watch. There is no blood or gore to contend with.

This isn't a book for your children to read quietly to themselves. It should be part of interactive story-telling. A parent using exaggerated movements coupled with the funny sounding words will make a fantastic story come to life and will leave your kids with fond memories when they are older.

This is a fantastically imaginative poem written with a style that is so unique, intricate and fun that your kids will be giggling from the word go and it is topped of with illustrations which are perfectly matched to the story. This is one for all kids and all adults to enjoy equally.

Useless Facts
Jabberwocky has been translated into 29 different languages
Terry Gilliam directed Michael Palin in a version of Jabberwocky in 1977

Summary: Lewis Carrol gives us a glimpse of his world