Helen NicollReseñas
Autor de Meg and Mog
Reseñas
Although I have read all of the Meg and Mog picture-books written by Helen Nicoll and illustrated by Jan Pieńkowski (I have not read any of the subsequent titles authored by David Walser as yet), I have never watched the animated television show that was made from these books. Meg's Cauldron is the third of four tv tie-in tales taken from that show that I have read from Ladybird Books, and while I do agree with the sentiments I expressed in my reviews of the other two (Mog in Charge and Meg's Fancy Dress), in that I do not think these books are the equal of the originals, I enjoyed this one more than the above two, which I read some years ago. Perhaps I simply have a weakness for humor derived from overly literal obedience or interpretation—think stories like Amelia Bedelia, or Mole and Shrew—but I did find this one amusing, and I did appreciate the ending, in which familiarity outweighs efficiency and convenience. Recommended to those young readers who are fans of the television show, or who have run out of original Meg and Mog stories to read.
Like Mog in Charge, the other tv tie-in Meg and Mog adventure that I have read, I didn't think Meg's Fancy Dress the equal of the original Meg and Mog stories created by author Helen Nicoll and artist Jan Pieńkowski. The artwork isn't as creative, and the text, although longer, is also simpler, not being divided between the main narrative and various speech bubbles and sound words. That said, I think the story will still prove quite entertaining, particularly for young fans of these characters, and the television show based upon their stories. The appearance of Bess, Jess, Tess and Cress at the end of the tale, although not wholly unexpected, will be a pleasure for readers who have already encountered them in Mog's Missing.
As someone who has read all of the Meg and Mog stories by author Helen Nicoll and illustrator Jan Pieńkowski, but who has never watched the television show based upon them, I was curious to see how these tv tie-in stories would match up against the 'real' thing. What I found in Mog In Charge was a fairly engaging story, particularly for those readers who are fans of these characters, but a book nowhere near as appealing as the original tales. The artwork is in the style of Pieńkowski - or rather, in the style of the animation based upon Pieńkowski - but without any of the clever little details he liked to include. The text is also more straightforward, with the story told exclusively through the main narrative, rather than a mix of narrative, speech bubbles and sound words, as is the case with the Nicoll/Pieńkowski volumes. Although credited to Nicoll/Pieńkowski, it's pretty clear that this was not directly created by them. Still, I suppose it will have appeal, particularly for those young readers who are fans of the television show, or who (like me) have run out of original Meg and Mog stories to read.
Like the Meg and Mog Jigsaw Book, this is a peripheral title in the Meg and Mog series, not being one of the main story-adventures, but rather a related activity book. It seems to be drawing as much from the television show as the books, as some of Meg's friends were unfamiliar to me - the cowboy, the Viking - despite the fact that I have read all of the books. I can't say I was terribly impressed with the paper engineering here - some of the movements resulting from the pulled tabs seemed minimal, at best - and there is little story to speak of, but the artwork is as bright as ever, and for fans of these characters, it will undoubtedly be a fun little title.
I haven't run across this format too often, in my own reading, although I am familiar with it from browsing and working in bookstores. The Gruffalo Jigsaw Puzzle Book was quite popular at the Dublin bookshop where I was employed this past Christmas. It's not difficult to see why, as the format lends itself to an interactive story-hour, in which the adult can read to and with the child, while the child puts the puzzles together. As someone who enjoys jigsaw puzzles, albeit more complex ones, I appreciated the pairing of game with book, and think it is particularly suited to the Meg and Mog series, which is already noted for its ability to involve children in the reading experience, through its creative blend of text and image. Recommended to all young Meg and Mog fans!
** Sadly, Meg and Mog author Helen Nicoll died in 2012. In 2014 a twentieth Meg and Mog book was published, featuring text by David Walser and artwork by Jan Pieńkowski. It is too soon to say whether the series will continue with this new author.
The Meg and Mog series - really, it should be the Meg and Mog and Owl series - is always entertaining, pairing vibrantly colourful and graphically creative illustrations with a simple and humorous story, told through both the main narrative and numerous speech bubbles and sound-words. The latter was particularly striking in Meg Goes to Bed, as Mog pursues a mouse with a big POUNCE, and Owl gives chase with a huge SWOOP, leading to a gigantic CRASH! Younger children will enjoy both the visuals and the story - hopefully read aloud with lots of drama! - here. Recommended to fans of Meg and Mog, and to anyone looking for good witchy read-alouds for the kindergarten set.
Like its predecessors, Meg's Mummy blends visually arresting artwork - bright colours, a simple but creative graphic layout, and excellent use of silhouette (one of Pieńkowski's trademarks) - with a simple story that is split between the main narrative and numerous speech bubbles and sound words. I can't say I found it a particularly outstanding entry in this long-running witchy series - personal favourites include the first title, Meg and Mog, as well as Meg's Castle (#5), Mog's Box (#13), and Meg, Mog and Og (#16) - although it was entertaining enough, and will no doubt appeal to fans of the earlier books. That said, I did wonder a bit at Helen Nicoll's decision to name her mummy Ptolemy, and to describe him as being 3000 years old. Assuming she is thinking of Ptolemy I Soter, the founder of the Hellenistic Ptolemaic kingdom in Egypt, rather than the more famous mathematician of the same name, her dates are seven hundred or so years off. If she was indeed thinking of Claudius Ptolemy, then her dates are more than one thousand years off. Whichever it may be, this kind of blatant historical inaccuracy, even in books whose purpose is unrelated to historical instruction, is irritating enough to me that I subtracted half a star for it. I'm quite surprised that no editor spotted that one!
Published in 2005, some thirty-three years after the initial Meg and Mog, which first saw print in 1972, Mog's Missing is an entertaining addition to author Helen Nicoll and illustrator Jan Pieńkowski's witchy picture-book series. It is the first to include other magical practitioners (all of whom look very much like Meg), and contains a number of humorous scenes - Meg's crash-landing at the witches' gathering; the two-page spread in which everyone is inside the cauldron, the darkness relieved only by their eyes, and the various speech bubbles containing their exclamations - that add to the sense of fun. Recommended to young children who enjoy witchy fare, particularly if they are already familiar with these characters.
As with previous entries in this series, there is a great synergy here between Helen Nicoll's text, split between the straightforward narrative, and the exclamations and sound words contained in the speech bubbles, and Jan Pieńkowski's brightly-coloured artwork, which invariably accentuates the humour in each scene, and often adds a new dimension to the story itself. There's plenty of visual fun in Meg, Mog and Og, as the trio take cover from bats in the opening scene, or Meg turns a bright red, and tears out her hair in frustration, when their living quarters get a little small - an image that the reader is shown from above. There is also beauty, as in the scene in which the characters are all depicted in silhouette - one of Pieńkowski's trademark styles - against receding circles of black, purple, blue and snowy-gray, together meant to represent the cave in which they are living. My favorite touch, though, would undoubtedly be the next-to-last page, which shows a hungry Og's red trunk reaching through the window, seemingly in search of some bubble and squeak, as Meg and Mog snore away, and Owl suspiciously keeps one eye open. Humorous and entertaining, this book will keep young readers involved through both story and art, and is recommended to younger children who enjoy witchy fare, or who are fans of these characters.
I enjoyed this entry in the Meg and Mog series, which, I was tickled to see, is dedicated to an "Abigail." As always, the combination of simple text, split between the narrative itself and the various exclamations and sound-words produced by the characters, and the vividly colorful artwork makes for an enjoyable picture-book experience. The promotional blurb at the front of the book - "Children will love exploring colors, sounds and shapers in the MEG AND MOG stories, which are perfect for sharing or reading aloud" - nails it on the head, I think. These books have appeal both as stories aimed at young children who enjoy witchy fare and are fans of the characters, and as concept books which explore things like colour and sound. All in all, Meg Up the Creek is a worthy addition to this classic series, which entertains and amuses while subtly teaching as well.
I enjoyed this entry in the Meg and Mog series, which, following upon the earlier Owl at School, is the second to focus on Owl's experiences. Helen Nicoll's simple text, split between straightforward narrative and exclamations and sound-words, is well-matched by Jan Pieńkowski's vivid illustrations, which always accentuate the humor in the story. I thought the scene in which the various animals wait to be seen by the vet - the bear has his head stuck in a pot of some kind (perhaps of honey?), an ostrich has swallowed a teacup, the outline of which can be seen in his slender throat - was especially charming. I also appreciate the fact that the vet here is a man of color, something unremarked upon in the text. Recommended to young children who enjoy witchy fare, who are approaching a hospital visit, or who are fans of this series.
With the same simple text and brightly colored illustrations that have distinguished previous entries in the series, Mog's Box will provide an entertaining picture-book experience to young children. I found the scenes in which Mog becomes jealous - his expression becomes ever more hostile in each panel, from Tuesday to Friday, as he sees the lunches prepared for Owl - particularly droll, and his subsequent burst of frenetic rage quite hilarious. Readers familiar with the series will enjoy seeing the feline/strigine rivalry, hinted at in teasing comments back and forth between Mog and Owl in previous titles, expanded here. The development of the story itself, which shifts focus from Mog and Owl to the caterpillar, is a little less humorous, although still engaging. The two-page spread in which the caterpillar munches his way through a series of leaves is reminiscent of Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar. All in all, this was an amusing addition to a classic series.
This twelfth entry in the Meg and Mog series focuses on Owl, who, although not referred to in the series name, is an integral part of the ongoing story. It features the same simple text and brightly colored illustrations that made the previous entries in the series so appealing, and is sure to please young readers who enjoy witchy fare, or who are Meg and Mog (AND Owl!) fans.
Addendum: having just tracked down a copy of Meg Comes to School, which was published in 2011, and which I had believed to be the twentieth entry in the Meg and Mog series, I can report that it is in fact a reprint of Owl at School, with a new name. I'm glad to see this story remains available, even if under a different title.
Like its predecessors, Mog In the Fog features a simple text, split between straightforward narrative and various exclamations in speech bubbles, and vividly colorful illustrations. As always, the textual and visual elements work together to create an engaging story experience. The scene in which everyone is lost in the fog - the two-page spread is entirely grey, with various speech bubbles appearing - is a perfect case in point, as is that in which the startled yeti is revealed in all his pink and red glory. I could have happily lived without the sherpa's somewhat broken English - "O.K. I lead caravan" / "Very old bridge" - but leaving that aside, this was an engaging addition to the Meg and Mog series.
It's another amusing adventure with this witchy/feline/strigine trio, with Meg's spells going awry as always, Mog ending up in trouble, and a worried Owl along for the ride. The simple text and brightly colored illustrations will keep young children engaged, while the humorous details - the four-way sign at the zoo directs visitors to Big Cats, Small Mammals, Reptiles, and Ladies - will tickle their funny-bone. Recommended to readers with a taste for witchy fare, or who have enjoyed other titles in the Meg and Mog series.
With plenty of humorous hi-jinks, and brightly colored illustrations that suit the characters' madcap antics to a T, Mog's Mumps is another enjoyable entry in Helen Nicoll and Jan Pieńkowski's witchy picture-book series. Readers already familiar with the trio of Meg, Mog and Owl will know what to expect - i.e.: catastrophe - when Meg steps in to solve the problem with magic, and will not be disappointed. As always, the little exclamations and asides to be found in the speech bubbles - Owl's exasperated "He's eaten too much again," eyes rolled upward, when the fish skeletons are revealed in Mog's tummy - add to the sense of fun. Recommended to young readers who enjoy witchy fare of a more humorous kind.
As with previous forays into the Meg and Mog series, I enjoyed Meg's Veg, appreciating its quirky cast of characters, and the vivid illustrations. The language in these books is simple, with no more than a sentence or two per page, and the layout of the text - split between the main narrative voice, which tends to run along horizontally, and speech bubbles for the characters' exclamations, which tend to run on diagonal or curved lines - is creative. Pieńkowski's artwork is colorful and appealing - I particularly liked the two-page scene in which the three friends take shelter under a colorful red umbrella, as a black raincloud hovers above them - highlighting once again, for this reader at least, how seemingly "simple" picture-books require a great deal of skill and craft to create. Recommended to young children with a taste for witchy tales, or who have enjoyed other entries in the series.
Published in 1975, the same year as Meg's Castle, this entry in Helen Nicoll and Jan Pieńkowski's witchy picture-book series will keep young children entertained. With both narrative and visual humor, a trio of quirky characters that children will find appealing, and vividly colored illustrations that will grab their attention, there is plenty here to engage the imagination and tickle the funny bone. Recommended to all young readers (and listeners) who enjoy humorous witchy fare, particularly if they have read other titles from this series.
Although I have enjoyed the Meg and Mog books, appreciating their combination of simple text and vivid illustrations, which I think admirably suited to entertain younger preschool children, I would not describe them, generally speaking, as witchy favorites. That said, I had to give Meg's Castle an extra star for the artwork, which I found particularly outstanding. The colors used, the composition of shapes on each page, the layout of the text: everything combined to make this a visual treat! The scene in which the trio climbs the orange spiral stairs against the backdrop of a yellow page evokes a sense of motion, while the facing page, which shows them peacefully asleep in a red bed, against a deep blue backdrop, suggests (despite the bright colors) calmness. The black pages, during their night-time scare with the ghost, when only their eyes, and the text itself (in green, pink and white) can be seen, successfully communicates both humor and chills. All in all, this may be my favorite Meg and Mog book thus far, and is a distinct triumph for illustrator Jan Pieńkowski.
As always, I enjoyed this quirky outing with the witchy/feline/strigine trio, and think it would make an excellent story-hour selection for younger, preschool children. The simple text and brightly colored artwork are sure to appeal to a toddler audience, while the sound-words and exclamations give the adult reader plenty of opportunity to add excitement. As an added educational bonus, a brief reference to Morse Code is made, in the scene in which Meg flags down the helicopter. Now: on to the next installment in this witchy series, Meg's Castle!
With the same simple text - no more than a sentence or two per page - and brightly colored illustrations as the previous entries in the series, Meg on the Moon is sure to appeal to younger preschool children who enjoy either witchy tales or adventures set in outer space. There is plenty of opportunity here for the adult reader to add excitement to the narrative - the many sound words; the countdown page, on which each number features in its own panel, comic-book style; the many exclamations - making it an excellent read-aloud selection. Quirky, humorous, and entertaining, this entry in the Meg and Mog series makes me want to track down the next, Meg at Sea.
Published the same year as Meg and Mog (in 1972), Meg's Eggs boasts the same simple text and vivid illustrations, in bold primary and secondary colors, as its predecessor. The addition of dinosaurs - a perennial favorite with young readers - gives it added story appeal, while the format lends itself to beginning readers who are just getting going on their own. It is to them I would recommend this one, particularly if they enjoy witchy tales, or have a fondness for dinosaurs.
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Having read all of the Meg and Mog picture-books written by Helen Nicoll and illustrated by by Jan Pieńkowski (I have not read any of the subsequent titles authored by David Walser as yet), but never having watched the animated television series based upon them, I approached these TV tie-in titles with some interest. Although unimpressed when reading the first two (Mog in Charge and Meg's Fancy Dress) a number of years ago, I found the third that I read (Meg's Cauldron) more appealing. Similarly, this fourth and final TV tie-in was enjoyable, offering a fun, lighthearted little seaside adventure for our trio of friends. Having now read all four of these titles, I am curious to watch some of the television show, and will have to see whether I can track some episodes down. Recommended to those young readers who are fans of the television show, or who have run out of original Meg and Mog stories to read.