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

Friday 17 September 2010

Review: Crazy Hair

Title: Crazy Hair

Author: Neil Gaiman

Illustrator: Dave McKean

Publisher: Bloomsbury, $15.99 RRP

Publication Date: July 2010

Format: Softcover

ISBN: 9780747595991

For ages: 4 - 8

Type: Picture Book

About: Prolific writer Neil Gaiman has coupled with illustrator Dave McKean in this quite surreal picture book about a guy with such crazy, out of control hair - a thatch so mad crazy - it seemingly inhabits an entire world of other worlds... from jungles with tigers and bears and explorers to African dancers and great pirate sloops, sailing the high, unbrushed seas.

When a young Bonnie insists this wild hair must be tamed, she too is hauled into this mystic world contained atop his unruly head - and so lives out her days in storybook splendour, teaching lions how to rhyme, and riding slides and great balloons (all depicted in perfect, retro line-drawing renditions).

Wildly imaginative and gorgeously rhyming (...and well done rhyming), this book is just pure fun - with an edgy twist that will attract slightly older readers (and adults, of course). It's no wonder it was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal.

This book is available online