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

Wednesday 1 February 2017

Review: The Land of Nod

Robert Louis Stevenson's classic bedtime poem is brought to life in this gorgeously-illustrated picture book for little ones.

Where do we go when we fall asleep? We enter the Land of Nod, where magical creatures appear and take us on a surreal journey into strangeness.

There are curious things to eat and see. Perhaps a frightening thing or two. And all in all, a wonderful adventure.

The Land of Nod can only be accessed at nighttime, in dreaming. It's a special place to be. Any ailments or illnesses or limitations can be pushed aside and we can fly free.

A daytime parallel accompanies this boy's journey. Ill in bed, we only learn at the end of the story that he has a broken foot--something that 'occurs' on his dreamlike journey when he steps on magical prickly plants, and needs to be securely bandaged along the way.

Robert Hunter's beautiful illustrations are crafted with an elegant colour palette and a truly lovely play on light and dark--with backgrounds turning from dark blue to white as we once again enter day.

This is an abstract title for young children in terms of narrative, however, it's a wonderful way to introduce the very young to classic poetry.

Title: The Land of Nod
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
Illustrator: Robert Hunter
Publisher: Flying Eye Books, $24.99
Publication Date: 1 February 2017
Format: Hard cover
ISBN: 9781911171041
For ages: 4 - 8
Type: Picture Book