Lesley Barnes

Jill, the young girl with a love for happy endings and a penchant for interfering in her story-books, whose first meta-fictional adventure was chronicled in Jill & Dragon, returns in this second picture-book. Reading a story about the circus with her canine companion Dog, Jill is dismayed when the lion in her book begins to weep, and speaks to her from the page, telling her that he has been kidnapped from the jungle, and that his crown has been stolen by the circus-master. Jumping in to the book, Jill and Dog struggle to free Lion, get his crown back, and return him to his home...

Like its predecessor, Jill & Lion pairs an engaging meta-fictional tale, one in which the main character is both reader and heroine, with immensely appealing illustrations. I really enjoy Lesley Barnes' artwork, and wish that Tate Publishing, based in London, included some information on the colophon as to the media used, the way that many American publishers do. It looks to be some kind of collage, or perhaps some kind of block-printing? Whatever the case may be, the result is both stylized and expressive, with a lovely color palette that is both subtle and vivid, and a real sense of motion and energy on each page. Children who enjoy adventure stories, or meta-fictional tales about characters who get involved in their books, will appreciate Jill & Lion, as will anyone who read Jill's first adventure.… (más)

When Jill notices that not everyone in her storybook looks happy, even though the narrator insists that "everyone lived happily ever after," she ends up bringing the book's dragon into her own world, hoping to cheer him up. Her attempts to teach him how to be less destructive prove futile however, and he is poised to sink deeper into despair. Then inspiration strikes, and Jill discovers his special talent, a talent that will make him the storybook's most popular character, rather than the villain...

An engaging fantasy is paired with magical illustrations in Jill & Dragon, a meta-fictional picture-book which marks British author/illustrator Lesley Barnes' debut. Although the story is entertaining, I found the chief appeal here the gorgeous artwork, which is colorful and immensely charming. I'm not sure what medium Barnes used - block print? mixed media? - but the result is captivating! The sense of motion and of fun to be found throughout, the droll expressions Jill's dog, who is clearly not a fan of the dragon, exhibits - all add to the appeal. I understand that Barnes is working on a sequel to Jill & Dragon, which is good news indeed. Recommended to anyone looking for magical stories for younger children.… (más)

Flyaway

Sure this story has a predictable storyline, but the first thing I saw that interested me and what I think other people will see as well that will interest them is that this storyline is involved with a counting game. There are eight double-page spreads with 10 objects to find in each. The musical notes, horns, pears, mice, keys, butterflies, birds, and stars are easy to spot even on very busy pages, although there is usually one that is half hidden. Second, thing that interested me was that the towers and stairways will intrigue some viewers, but this sweet counting game of a gift book may have a limited audience. Overall this book is not just interactive with the counting, but, also, with the, illustrates being intrigue to some viewers/readers.… (más)