OOPS! (Oops! - Colin McNaughton)

Member Name: juicy_lucy

Product:	Oops! - Colin McNaughton
Date:	31/05/07 (117 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great story

Disadvantages: none

This is the third book in the Preston Pig series, although they can be read as stand alone books, and are in no way dependent on each other. Winner of the Smarties Book Prize, and written by a popular author, this is one I know children will enjoy.

The story is based around the well known story of Little Red Riding Hood, so as we read it, children quickly realise that there is a fairy tale here.

~~Story and Illustrations~~

As ever, when a wolf is involved, we know that he will be the "bad guy" and that no good will befall him- they do get a lot of bad press in children's stories.

So, Mr Wolf is hungry, and has been banned from most of his usual haunts for such crimes as "snacking on the students". He is peeering from behind the bushes near Preston's house, talking to himself, and giving his perspective on life, when there is a loud crash, and out comes Preston wearing a red cloak and carrying a basket. the wolf, at this stage, by talking to himself, encourages the children to tell me that it's the same as Little red Riding Hood...it reminds him of a story, but which one?

As he follows Preston Pig through the woods, there are all manner of misadventures which seem to follow this wolf. The chimney pot falls on his head, "nasty itchy scratchy bitey" things attack him, he sits on a prickly bush; all this as Preston walks on oblivious.

He tries cunning wolf tricks to catch Preston. Children (and me) find these amusing, written as they are in tongue ion cheek style...The-Dig-a Deep-Pit-Dodge being one of the ploys. Of course, as we had already guessed, his cunning plans fail and Preston arrives safely at granny's house. Mister wolf still can't remember the story but when he sneaks up to the window, he hears Preston saying those well known words- "what big eyes/ears/teeth you've got. Incensed because those are his lines, and delighted that he now remembers the story, Mister Wolf crashes through the window. Just as Mister Wolf remembers how the story ends and is carrying Preston and Granny out the door...OOPS! said Mister Wolf. there with his axe is daddy pig looking less than happy!

We leave them running down the road each saying a part of the old adage...And they all lived happily ever after. The End. Mister Wolf doesn't look too happy asdaddy pig is following closely behind him with the axe.

The illustrations are very appealing, and are in comic book style, with lots of speech and thought bubbles, and plenty of asides which lends humour to the story. When Mister Wolf is in pain, the style of the letters is sharp and jagged, and we sometimes have bold capitals, so children get a feel for what's happening even if they can't read the words.

~~Other Bits of Information~~

Published: 1996

ISBN: 0006645224

~~Other Preston Pig books~~

Suddenly!
Boo!
Goal!

If children have enjoyed this book, they are sure to enjoy the other Preston Pig books.

~~What I think~~

Great fun. Children are sure to enjoy the pace at which the text moves, and the speed at which we have to follow Mister Wolf's journey through the forest, and his thought processes as he goes.

It's almost pantomine in style, and children will find themselves doing the whole "he's behind you" as well as offering advice to Mister Wolf as to which story it is he is trying to remember.

The pictures are bright and amusing, with plenty of detail, and the comic book style with plenty of speech and asides is a nice change for children especially if they are reading this story themselves because there is more emphasis on the flow and telling of the story rather than the text.

Great read aloud book for 4-7 year olds, and children who are beginning to read will enjoy reading this to you.

Thanks for reading.

Daniela x

Summary: Great read aloud story