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

Monday 31 December 2012

Happy New Year!


From the team at KBR, we wish you a happy, healthy, wise and book-ridden 2013. 

Thank you for continuing to support our site - we run KBR purely voluntarily, and your patronage and fabulous feedback is what keeps us going.
 
We will be taking a slower pace for January but will be back stronger than ever in February, and we look forward to bringing you more sensational literary tempters during 2013. 

May you find solace and comfort and joy in a fantastic book (or 200)!

Tania, Kelly and Susan
xxx

Sunday 30 December 2012

Review: Superworm

Superworm is super-long.
Superworm is super-strong.
Watch him wiggle! See him squirm!
Hip, hip, hooray for SUPERWORM!


Meet Superworm, the kind of friend everyone needs. All the garden residents know that they can rely on Superworm to help out in times of trouble or to join in the fun when there are games to play. Everyone loves Superworm.

Saturday 29 December 2012

Review: Can You Count to a Googol?

Would you say that one hundred is a big number? How about one thousand? Or one million? That’s starting to get big, but what if you want a really, REALLY big number? A number like a googol.

With text and illustrations to engaging young imaginations, author Robert Wells takes children on a journey from 1 to a googol and beyond. By multiplying by 10 (or multiples of 10), he helps readers to understand how numbers can quickly move from small to big to huge. At each stage, the numbers are given a real-life example such as one banana balanced on a nose, one hundred penguins each holding a ten-scoop ice-cream and so on through to numbers that measure the distance between stars and the age of the sun.

Friday 28 December 2012

Review Classic: A Giraffe in the Bath

So lovely to smooth my hands over the cover of a shiny new copy of A Giraffe in the Bath, resplendent with Argent’s emotive and lustrous illustration of a giraffe up to its, er – neck in foofing bubbles.

It has always intrigued me how two authors could simultaneously work on a picture book, being that it is so minimal in regard to text, but seasoned Fox and her protégé Rawson have come together seamlessly in this rib-tickling animal-fest for the very young.

Thursday 27 December 2012

Review: The Dudgeon is Coming

Many was the year I spent reading Hairy Maclary books to my children. Lynley Dodd's infallible use of rhythm and rhyme is a heavenly delight for tired parents to read and re-read and re-read at bedtime, morning, noon and in between.

In fact, the text is such a pleasure to read, there are many Hairy books I can still repeat verbatim - along with David Kirk's iconic and beautifully-rhyming Miss Spider books.

Wednesday 26 December 2012

Posts of Christmas Past: The Watchmaker who Saved Christmas

Ever had your doubts? I mean, all of us have at some time. About how he does it. You know - delivers all those presents in one single night to every household in the world.

You have? Me, too. But fear not - your faith in the man in red will not be tested here - for this version of the magical possibilities of Christmas-gift-delivering is certainly one to ponder... written for us by one of Australia's favourite author/illustrators - Bruce Whatley.

Posts of Christmas Past: The Christmas Eve Ghost

There's nothing that sets the feel of the festive season like an old-fashioned Christmas tale, a story from the olden days.

A story of hardship and love, fear and comfort.

Two children, Bronwen and Dylan, live with their mother, having moved after the death of their father. Their mother works hard to support them; working, cooking, cleaning and doing whatever it takes to make sure her little family survives.

Posts of Christmas Past: Where are Santa's Pants?

Where’s Wally? Who cares! It’s Santa’s pants we’re after here in this hilarious look-and-find book, stuffed with the most remarkable gaggle of illustrations, the eyes will boggle.

Starting with an introduction on why Santa has lost his pants (and how he can’t possibly deliver presents without them?), readers are invited to trek through the book and try to find those pesky pants.

Not only that, there’s a lucky sixpence to be found on every page, along with a certain 8 reindeer.

Posts of Christmas Past: Eloise at Christmastime


First published in 1958, this timeless Christmas book features the irrepressible Eloise at her very best, living it up at the Plaza Hotel with her nanny on Christmas Eve, causing all sorts of typical mischief with the staff and guests.

For those unfamiliar with the Eloise books - this savvy young girl is raised in the most wealthy of circumstances, by her adorable Nanny. Eloise may want for nothing, but she is certainly poverty-stricken when it comes to the attention - or lack thereof - of her pretty permanently missing parents.

Posts of Christmas Past: The Twelve Days of Christmas by Robert Sabuda

If you aren’t familiar with Robert Sabuda’s work, you soon will be, for there is little more beautiful than the masterful creations of this major paper engineer. 

One of several Christmas books (also The Christmas Alphabet and The Night Before Christmas), this stunning pop-up book relies on colour-blocked pages and striking white creations that jut from the page in the most eye-boggling of shapes.

Posts of Christmas Past: The Christmas Giant

Humphrey the Giant and Leetree the little elf have a fabulous job. They make wrapping paper so Santa can wrap the world’s presents on Christmas Eve – how cool is that? The patterns and styles they make are exquisite, and the duo work so gorgeously as a team.

But when Christmastime is over, Leetree and Humphrey always become bored and sad. So one year, Santa gives them a special assignment – to grow the town’s Christmas tree.

Posts of Christmas Past: The Night Before the Night Before Christmas

On Christmas Eve, I always read Clement C. Moore’s classic The Night Before Christmas with my children. On the night before Christmas Eve, we snuggle together for a slightly less formal story, Richard Scarry’s The Night Before the Night Before Christmas.

Accident-prone Mr Fumble is desperate to spread some Christmas cheer, but no-one seems to want his help. He finally decides to seek out the one person who most needs help leading up to Christmas, heading to the North Pole to offer his assistance to Santa Claus.

Posts of Christmas Past: Christmas Wombat

To write one-word sentences and still pull impressive literary punch? Well, that's Jackie French for you.

Mothball the wombat is keeping his Christmas Diary.

"Slept. Scratched. Slept."

What more could a festive wombat need to do? Dangly things that look suspiciously like Christmas decorations? Nah. Get rid of those, for a wombat Christmas is like any other day of the year ... that is, until he smells... CARROTS!

Posts of Christmas Past: The Jolly Christmas Postman

Classic team Janet and Allen Ahlberg give children the greatest Christmas gift... a classic book of their beautiful work in this divinely traditional story about The Jolly Postman at the most festive time of the year.

This is just the most adorable Christmassy stocking-stuffer book. It not only contains the stunningly detailed illustrations Janet is famous for, but a bunch of treasures secreted away in full-page pockets - making it a real Christmas treat.

Posts of Christmas Past: Russell's Christmas Magic

Gotta love Russell the Sheep. He’s just the most scrumptious ball of wool, so outright tactile, the fingers are literally called to stroke the page. Such is Rob Scotton’s artistic genius.

It’s without a doubt that Scotton’s work is utterly eye-entrancing, but even so, it’s the addition of adorable characters, the humour and the beautifully-penned storyline that combine create such lust-worthy books. Russell’s Christmas Magic is no exception.

Posts of Christmas Past: The Lump of Coal

If you’re looking for a Christmas story with a difference, it’s hard to go past Lemony Snicket’s The Lump of Coal. If you enjoy unusual stories that use words in clever ways, you probably already stop whenever you see a Lemony Snicket book anyway. I know I do.

The Lump of Coal is the story of a Christmas miracle. Nothing unusual there. The hero of the story is a lump of coal who can think, talk and move itself around. See, I told you this book was a little out of the ordinary.

Tinsel-covered Posts of Christmas Past


Happy Boxing Day and welcome to our tinsel and Christmas light-covered posts of Christmas past.

We love Christmas here at Kids Book Review – the decorations, time spent with family and friends, delicious festive food and, of course, the opportunity to indulge our love of wonderful Christmas books.

While we take time to recover from our Christmas celebrations yesterday, we thought we would share our favourite posts from Christmas’ past.

As we share some wonderful Christmas book posts, we hope you find some titles to add to your own Christmas reading list.

Tuesday 25 December 2012

Merry Christmas from Kids Book Review


Wishing our readers a truly divine Christmas. May you find many a 
delectable book in your Christmas stocking!

Thank you so much for including KBR on your net-surfing list - and 
here's to an even bigger and better 2013!

Tania, Kelly and Susan


Monday 24 December 2012

Review: Christmas at the Toy Museum

I don't think you can underestimate the power of the illustrations in a picture book. You can't cut corners . . . anything less than superb just doesn't make the grade when the focus of a book is on imagery. Alas, many a picture book fails to make that grade and it's not only the adults who notice.


Christmas at the Toy Museum is certainly not one of those failures. Both adults and kids will delight in these superb illustrations, which perfectly embody the classic Christmas spirit - that of the whimsical toy store.

Sunday 23 December 2012

Review: My First Book of Christmas

We all love a good old festive Christmas book, jingling with bells and crackling with cellophane, with a ho ho ho and all that. But sometimes it's nice to revisit the deeper meanings behind Christmas with a book that will delight both kids and adults.

My First Book of Christmas is a beautifully-illustrated, hardcover tome which explores the origins of Christmas, its traditions and joys - from the three wise men to advent calendars, carolers, wreaths and decorations.

Saturday 22 December 2012

Review: Bubbay: A Christmas Adventure

Bubbay lives in the outback. He tends a herd of goats, running over the red earth with his bare feet, clapping to scare the dingoes away.

A loner and always on his own with his herd, Bubbay longs to spend Christmas day with someone special. He has no family, no mother. On Christmas Eve, he makes a wish upon the stars above - for a Christmas tree.

The stars hear him. Suddenly, a shimmering comet appears in the sky and lands right next to Bubbay on the red earth. It's a tree! This tree tasks Bubbay with finding five very special tree decorations, in order to make his wish come true. Alas, these decorations are hard to come by.

Friday 21 December 2012

Review: Fa La La

Hurrah! A Christmas book for teensy ones that's both age-appropriate and loads of fun.

Our little nappy-clad tot just LOVES Christmas (who doesn't?). Wrapped in tinsel and grinning from ear to ear, it's time to decorate the tree - and the gingerbread house (though baby ends up being more thoroughly iced than the house itself).

Thursday 20 December 2012

Review: Christmas is Coming!

You may be familiar with the Little Mates series of small format picture books by Susannah McFarlane, featuring aliterated animal tales for every letter of the alphabet.

Well, here is the festive version! Once again aliterated (to the letter C), we meet Connor the Cockatoo and Chloe from Crystal Creek as they become supremely excited about the upcoming Christmas season.

Wednesday 19 December 2012

Review: Santa's Secret

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house . . .’ Oops, no let me start again.

‘On Christmas Eve, all through the night, 
Santa works till morning light.

Then he steps from his sleigh
and falls asleep all Christmas Day.

But when he wakes the time is right
for Santa’s secret winter flight.’


And so begins Mike Dumbleton and Tom Jellettt’s cheeky Boxing Day rhyming story about Santa. In this story, Santa travels every year to Australia to surf. Upon returning to the shore, Santa has a surprise for one of the children who was watching him surf.

Review: Queen Victoria's Christmas

What's going on in the palace?

Paper shapes. Funny cries. Spicy cakes. Fruit mince pies. And the oddest, strangest thing of all - a tree. A felled tree, no less - from the forest, in the living room, plonked in a pot.

What on earth can we do with a potted tree?

Told with the effulgent joy Jackie French does so well, kids will delight in the Big Reveal of this glamorous tree - all narrated in gorgeous rhyme, through the eyes of the Queen's royal pooch.

Tuesday 18 December 2012

Review: The Night Before Christmas Magical Pop-Up Edition

I've lost count of my book versions of Clement C Moore's iconic Christmas poem - I adore collecting them, and my kids equally enjoy reading through each one.

This latest version featuring paper-cut style imagery and one of the most gorgeous pop-up scenes I've ever seen, has been created by Thai artist Niroot Puttapipat, the grandson of a Lanna-Thai princess.

Puttapipat has indeed created a visually-stunning book featuring silhouette images and cut outs on cream paper, with snippets of striking Christmas red and green.

12 Curly Questions with author Jacqueline Harvey

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I’m highly allergic to shellfish and carry an Epipen in my handbag.

2. What is your nickname?
Jacq – especially by my family and close friends.

3. What is your greatest fear?
As I’ve gotten older I have an increasing fear of heights. I can’t stand watching movies where people are doing crazy rock climbing without harnesses or scenes like in the lastest Mission Impossible where Tom Cruise scales the outside of the tallest building in Dubai. My husband was watching that recently and I had to get up and leave the room as it makes me feel physically sick – which is ridiculous I know. I am quite all right inside tall buildings but the Top of the Rock – the viewing platform at the Rockefeller Centre in New York did make me a little queasy too.

Monday 17 December 2012

Review: The Down Under 12 Days of Christmas

An Aussie Christmas is quite different to other places in the world - it's hot, it's sunny, the days are long and the living is easy.

Santa is on his way Down Under and a menagerie of Aussie animals are on hand to prepare. There's snakes on skis, sharks a-surfing, emus laying, dingoes dancing - and of course - a kookaburra in a gum tree.

Michael Salmon's vivid, iconic illustrations perfectly typify this comic take on a classic festive song - and at the end of the book, kids will enjoy several added scenes - koalas caroling, Santa doing the Christmas Eve gift drop, Christmas Day on the beach (where else?) and the great Boxing Day snooze.

A perfect stocking stuffer for Aussie kids - and friends overseas.

Title: The Down Under 12 Days of Christmas 
Author/Illustrator: Michael Salmon
Publisher: Ford Street Publishing, $12.95 RRP
Publication Date: September 2012
Format: Soft cover
ISBN: 9781921665608
For ages: 3 - 10
Type: Picture Book

Sunday 16 December 2012

Review: Zoe's Christmas List

It's time to write a letter to Santa and Zoe is leaving nothing to chance. There's only one thing she wants on her Santa list - and that's Kylie Kurtz - doll extraordinaire.

In order to truly rooly facilitate the deliverance of this letter, Zoe decides it's wise to head to the North Pole to ensure Santa receives said wish.

On the way to The Pole, Zoe and Bean collect a wee polar bear who soon waylays her original intent, and instead teaches Zoe about the true meaning of Christmas - that of love and togetherness.

Saturday 15 December 2012

Review: The Third Gift

A father and son wander the desert in search of good trees from which to harvest precious pearls of sap. Their world is far removed from the bustle and excitement of contemporary Western Christmas preparations and yet their story is at its core.

While the harsh beauty of a hot and desolate landscape seeps through pages imbued with hot whites, desert yellows and burning oranges, the father and son’s search for quality and even perfection takes time.

Speechie's Couch: What's in a Rhyme?


Children discover the magic of rhyme at around four-and-a-half years of age. Standing firmly on their newfound knowledge of syllabification, these active listeners discover that words can sound the same at the end, even though they mean different things. And so the enjoyment of rhyming one-liners begins.

As pre-schoolers near their fifth year, not only do they enjoy a mighty rhyming tale, they relish the chance to predict a word that will rhyme with the starter phrase before them. Dr Seuss caters to this age group in his Green Eggs and Ham, One Fish, Two Fish and other rhyming classics, especially when the word that will rhyme causes a giggle at its preposterousness, or is hidden on a page not yet turned.

Old mother Hubbard went to the …? ‘Cupboard!’ comes the shouted reply.

The cat in the hat sat on the …?

You get the idea.

Immersion in the world of rhyme is also a wonderful way to wake up listening ears for pre-reading. Rhyme detection and production usually comes before the ability to hear the first or last sound in a word, so pull out your favourite nursery rhymes, rhyming picture books or other favourite tales and get into the rhyming hilarity. Your little ones won’t suspect you are priming them for reading: they’ll be having far too much fun to notice.


 
Jo Burnell is KBR's Development Editor and resident paediatric speech pathologist. A reviewer of children’s and YA books and shortlisting judge for Speech Pathology Australia Book of the Year, Jo is familiar with effective writing for Upper Primary and Secondary students. 





Publisher's Insider: So, You Have an Idea for a Picture Book


Last month on KBR we announced some exciting new developments for our incredibly popular Unpublished Picture Book Manuscript Award in 2014. So I thought this month’s article would be a good opportunity for me to give my three top tips that might help your manuscript get to the top of the pile.

You should always write what you LOVE, what you’re driven to write about, what comes naturally to you. Don’t write a story because you’ve heard that the subject matter is popular or because you think it’s commercial or trendy, or because a couple of books on similar subjects have won awards. If your story doesn’t come from the heart, it won’t touch ours.

Getting your story down on paper (or on screen!) is just the first step. We see many, many entries that have clearly been written at the last minute and sent in without any editing. We certainly don’t expect you to have your work professionally edited before submitting it, but we can guarantee that the winning entries will be from authors who have written their stories and then redrafted, edited and redrafted them again. It’s the time taken to revise and polish your work that makes the difference between a story that had potential and one that really works.

Be fresh, original, inventive. We read literally hundreds of manuscripts and there are always certain themes or trends that emerge. However, even if your story is on a topic that's been covered a thousand times before (for example, the arrival of a new baby in the house), that doesn’t mean you can’t write about it in a way that is exciting and original, that touches us deeply or that makes us laugh out loud.

Happy writing! We look forward to reading your entries …


Anouska Jones is our KBR Editor. Mum to a gorgeous little girl, she has nearly twenty years' experience in the book publishing industry. A publishing consultant and editor, Anouska is obsessed by all things to do with words, writing and books. 



Librarian's Shelf: Children's Choice Book Awards


Many children's book awards are announced around the world each year, and the majority of them are chosen by adult readers. Are those award-winners the ones children would choose? In some cases the answer is yes, but not always.

Awards judged by adults, who put much considered analysis into their decision, are worthy of such recognition – for many reasons - however books chosen by children as their favourites also offer important insight. By empowering children to nominate and vote for the books they believe deserve an award, we can engage them with reading and explore what it is that enthuses them, what makes them laugh or cry, and which books truly connect with them.

Here in Australia, there are a number of children's choice book awards, including the KOALA Awards, YABBA Awards, and COOL Awards. For teenagers, there are the annual Inkys - and what a great name for a book award that is.

Children's choice awards given in other countries include: the Red House Children's Book Award and the Blue Peter Book Awards in the UK, the New Zealand Post Children's Choice Book Award, and the Children's and Teen Choice Book Awards in the USA.

Short-listed books for these awards highlight titles that have serious stories at their heart, but also lighter layers (like Morris Gleitzman's After), as well as popular series (the many Tashi books and Emily Rodda's Deltora Quest spring to mind), along with wild and wacky adventures (The 26-Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton is a perfect example).

Take a look at the eclectic mix of children's choice award shortlists and winners for some inspiration next time you're helping your child find a book to borrow at the library, or looking for one to give as a gift.

Sarah Steed is our Consultant Librarian and reviewer. A former Children's and Young Adult Librarian, she has more than 18 years' experience working in public libraries. Sarah comes from a family of readers and has shelves full to bursting with books. 



Our Views on Children's Books


To wrap up a spectacular 2014 for KBR, we thought we’d share with you some fun views on children’s books. With each member of the KBR team filling quite specific roles in our personal lives (as well as roles for KBR), we hope you enjoy this glimpse into the way we independently view kids’ books in general. 

Agree? Disagree? Enter the dialogue-leave a comment.

Tania McCartney – Author
Susan Whelan – Editor
Anouska Jones – Publisher
Jo Burnell – Speech Therapist
Sarah Steed – Librarian
Anastasia Gonis - Reviewer

What makes a good children’s book?
Tania: Unique ideas, thoughtful emotional connection, humour, evocative text.
Susan: A story that engages a child’s mind – their imagination, curiosity and emotions.
Anouska: Originality, great writing (and illustrations, if applicable).
Jo: Language, vocabulary, story.
Sarah: One where the reader can recognise something of themselves or their world/imagination/dreams.
Anastasia: Anything that engages the reader.

What should books do for children?
Tania: Transport them to other places, fill their hearts and minds.
Susan: Have some kind of impact – entertain, educate and encourage them to think, feel and/or laugh.
Anouska: Entertain, inspire and, along the way, foster a love of reading and learning.
Jo: Expand their worlds.
Sarah: Entertain. Inform. Inspire.
Anastasia: Keep them wanting more books.

What makes for striking illustration?
Tania: Authentic expression.
Susan: Something that complements the action and mood of the story.
Anouska: Illustrations that ADD depth and meaning to the text.
Jo: When they are springboards for the imagination.
Sarah: Simplicity.
Anastasia: Something eye-catching, detailed, and colourful.

Are there too many illustrated chapter books?
Tania: For older readers, yes. For younger/struggling readers, no.
Susan: These are a great transition tool, but we need to make sure we aren’t deliberately ‘dumbing down’ the experience of reading a chapter book.
Anouska: No.
Jo: There can never be enough; they help reluctant/struggling readers connect with story. 
Sarah: Yes. We need them, but not too many.
Anastasia: Yes.

What makes for a great character?
Tania: Reality, flaws, emotion, humour, strength, quirk.
Susan: Someone who is authentic and relatable.
Anouska: Qualities/traits the reader can relate to or engage with.
Jo: Uniqueness, a different perspective and way of expressing it.
Sarah: Where readers can imagine themselves in the character’s shoes, or be inspired by their story.
Anastasia: Someone/something believable.

Do characters need to be likeable?
Tania: In some way—even if it’s an irksome, unlikeable way.
Susan: No, even unlikeable characters can engage the interest of readers.
Anouska: No. But they need to provoke emotion.
Jo: Not but there needs to be something redeemable about them.
Sarah: Absolutely. What’s likeable tends to depend on the individual though.
Anastasia: Not necessarily.

What do you think of books with morals?
Tania: No. Unless they’re cautionary tales. It’s all about tongue-in-cheek.
Susan: These need to be delicately written. Blunt, obvious messages read like a lecture, not a story.
Anouska: Fine, as long as the message isn’t rammed down the reader’s throat!
Jo: Hate. Love narratives that reveal the cause and effect of actions and choices.
Sarah: There is definitely a place for them, as stories help shape us.
Anastasia: Alas, they are a dying breed.

Do picture books need strong plot lines?
Tania: Sometimes yes, sometimes no. What they need is vision and a strong voice.
Susan: Not always.
Anouska: Not always.
Jo: Powerful story needs a strong foundation. This won't always be plot.
Sarah: Not necessarily.
Anastasia: Just a simple message.

Is typical story construction important?
Tania: Writing with joy and authenticity is more important. And a good editor.
Susan: The story needs to have shape and purpose. A story that drifts rarely engages readers.
Anouska: Not always.
Jo: No. Left of centre rocks, but we need to be able to follow along. 
Sarah: To a degree. It really depends on the audience and your intention in reading it.
Anastasia: Yes.

What children’s book elements completely engage you as an adult?
Tania: Out-of-the-box concepts, striking imagery, humour, whimsy, cleverness.
Susan: Humour, genuine characters, engaging illustrations, and clever use of language, rhythm and tone.
Anouska: Brilliantly original storytelling through great text and outstanding illustrations.
Jo: Quirkiness, humour, heart, suspense, intrigue.
Sarah: Illustrations and certain types of humour.
Anastasia: Detailed illustrations, messages, characters.

What kind of books don’t work well?
Tania: Overly structured, obvious, badly-edited, same-old-same-old, amateur illustrations.
Susan: Overly moralistic stories and stories with awkward rhymes and rhythm. Picture books where the content and illustrations don’t complement each other.
Anouska: The overtly worthy, try-hard kind.
Jo: Those that preach or condescend.
Sarah: Picture books with too much text.
Anastasia: Books without imagination.

What book genre do you favour?
Tania: Picture books followed by junior fiction.
Susan: I love reading YA fiction that deals with real issues. I also enjoy picture books and middle fiction with clever use of language and an element of humour.
Anouska: Picture books.
Jo: Anything well written and a little bit unexpected.
Sarah: It would be a toss up between historical and mystery.
Anastasia: Picture books.

Name three of your favourite children’s books of all time.
Tania: The Narnia series by CS Lewis, Nanberry, Black Brother White by Jackie French and Where Do We Go When We Disappear? by Isabel Minhós Martins
Susan: The Dot and Ish by Peter Reynolds (sorry, sneaking in two there as by the same author), Hooray for Diffendoofer Day by Dr Seuss (with Lane Smith and Jon Prelutsky), The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
Anouska: Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame and The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter.
Jo: Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, How to Mend a Broken Wing by Bob Graham and the Samurai Kids series by Sandy Fussell.
Sarah: We’re Going On A Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury, Animalia by Graeme Base, The Harry Potter series by JK Rowling.
Anastasia: Fox by Margaret Wild and Ron Brooks, Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tales, The Savage by David Almond