A review by our Book Editor, Jay Heale, of the book currently a favourite with out workshop participants!
DO NOT OPEN THIS BOOK by Andy Lee, illustrated by Heath McKenzie (Human & Rousseau 2017; first published by Lake Press, Australia 2016)
Question: What do children enjoy most? Answer: Doing exactly what they have been told not to do. Not only will they OPEN this book, but they will also joyously disobey repeated instructions DON’T TURN THE PAGE. Defying the long-legged blue blob creature is great fun … until … Er. Let’s do it again. In spite of pleas, orders, warning of fear, threat of loss of friendship, “I’ll tell your parents!”, offer of reward, “What do I care?” … but PLEASE … something terrible will happen. It does. This book has been extensively tested with most residents of Napier Retirement Village. They all screamed with delight and one ordered a copy immediately. It’s compulsive. I did warn you.
[But I also think of the many children in this country (and elsewhere) who are almost afraid to open a book, nervous of turning another page. In this book comes the invitation to read on – always to turn one more page.]
