'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Tuesday 2 June 2009

Review: Miss Spider's ABC

For those of you who are familiar with the original Little Miss Spider (a book I can still recite verbatim), you will understand how addictive David Kirk’s and quirky rhymes can be.

Kirk has a wonderful knack for writing books for very young children that also get the toes of adults curling with glee.

While I’m not an enormous fan of computer-generated illustrations, Kirk takes his high tech pictures to a whole new level of class and glamour – using the most exquisite colour and quirky characters that walk a fine line between cute and a little frightening. This style is so reminiscent of the work of early illustrators of children’s book – and lend such personality and drama to his books.

Kirk’s play on alliteration charms the tongue – fireflies fandango, ladybugs laugh, moths mingle. Kids will love listening to mum and dad curling their tongue around each letter.

Miss Spider’s ABC is a celebration of entymology in all its various forms – taking us on a bright and beautiful surprise journey through the alphabet to a highly-anticipated ending… an ending that won’t let us down.

Title: Miss Spider’s ABC
Author/Illustrator: David Kirk
Publisher: Hodder Callaway
Publication date: October 2000
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9780733609350
For ages: 0 - 8
Type: Picture Book