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lisavegan's review
5.0
This is a very funny story with a clever twist. It’s ingenious and fun to read, and it’s actually quite well written. My favorite line is “…out of the monstrous predicament he has been drawn into so thoughtlessly.” That gave me one of the many chuckles I experienced while reading this book.
As I was reading I thought the pictures & story might be frightening for some particularly sensitive young children, but as the story (and pictures!) shifted, I thought it was the perfect book for children who are afraid of monsters.
The illustrations are outstanding and so creative. I admit I’m a bit perplexed about a bird that seems to change from blue-green to red. Did the ink really go haywire or is there a second (or third?) bird? I did think that the first illustration of the monster within the book made the monster look goofy and friendly, but then his appearance does manage to change for a while.
The illustrations and story work together seamlessly, and the book is amusing and sweet, and it’s also inspiring for artists and other imaginative children.
I love these books (such as [b:Harold and the Purple Crayon|98573|Harold and the Purple Crayon|Crockett Johnson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171417956s/98573.jpg|1285373]) where the art supplies drive the story.
As I was reading I thought the pictures & story might be frightening for some particularly sensitive young children, but as the story (and pictures!) shifted, I thought it was the perfect book for children who are afraid of monsters.
The illustrations are outstanding and so creative. I admit I’m a bit perplexed about a bird that seems to change from blue-green to red. Did the ink really go haywire or is there a second (or third?) bird? I did think that the first illustration of the monster within the book made the monster look goofy and friendly, but then his appearance does manage to change for a while.
The illustrations and story work together seamlessly, and the book is amusing and sweet, and it’s also inspiring for artists and other imaginative children.
I love these books (such as [b:Harold and the Purple Crayon|98573|Harold and the Purple Crayon|Crockett Johnson|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1171417956s/98573.jpg|1285373]) where the art supplies drive the story.
rabbitearsblog's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I actually first saw Simon’s Book when I was watching Reading Rainbow, a show that used to come on PBS when I was little. When I started watching Simon’s Book, I was intrigued by the creative drawings of Simon and the monster that this book became my all-time favorite children’s book from the creative mind of Henrik Drescher.
Henrik Drescher’s master storytelling and his wild drawings make this book extremely appealing to everyone of all ages. He vividly draws the monster as a scary figure that at first threatens the main characters by chasing them all throughout the book and then draws the monster as a cuddly figure that brings Simon, the pens, and the ink jar safely back home. Simon himself is depicted as an innocent wild haired boy who only wants to get out of the predicament that he has been put into so carelessly and the ink pens are drawn like they are playful looking snakes who want to help Simon get out of his predicament. Henrik Drescher’s creative drawings mixed with his simplistic yet intriguing narrating makes Simon’s book both intense and comforting at the same time.
Parents should know that the beast in this book looks extremely scary, probably scarier than any other monster you would see in many children’s books. The beast looks like a warthog-monster with the pig-like snout and the bristles on its back are truly terrifying as they are black and extremely pointed. If you look on the cover of the book, you probably know what this beast truly looks like. But, the monster also comes off as being a friendly creature in the end of the book so many children do not have to worry about the monster eating Simon.
Simon’s Book is one book that is to be treasured by every one of all ages. Henrik Drescher has mastered creativity beyond his ability to draw by creating intense scenes that keeps you wondering until the very end about whether or not the beast is going to eat Simon and then mellows down to a happier tone when the audience finds out that the beast is actually a friendly monster. This book is also great for children who are beginning to read since the format of this book is written in a kindergarten fashion as there are only a few words on each page and is great in reading new vocabulary, such as the book using the words “comfort” and “retreated.” Simon’s Book is a wonderful book for anyone who loves adventure and the power of friendship overcoming any obstacle in life.
Taken from my Book Blog: Rabbit Ears Book Blog: [BOOK REVIEW] Simon's Book by Henrik Drescher
Henrik Drescher’s master storytelling and his wild drawings make this book extremely appealing to everyone of all ages. He vividly draws the monster as a scary figure that at first threatens the main characters by chasing them all throughout the book and then draws the monster as a cuddly figure that brings Simon, the pens, and the ink jar safely back home. Simon himself is depicted as an innocent wild haired boy who only wants to get out of the predicament that he has been put into so carelessly and the ink pens are drawn like they are playful looking snakes who want to help Simon get out of his predicament. Henrik Drescher’s creative drawings mixed with his simplistic yet intriguing narrating makes Simon’s book both intense and comforting at the same time.
Parents should know that the beast in this book looks extremely scary, probably scarier than any other monster you would see in many children’s books. The beast looks like a warthog-monster with the pig-like snout and the bristles on its back are truly terrifying as they are black and extremely pointed. If you look on the cover of the book, you probably know what this beast truly looks like. But, the monster also comes off as being a friendly creature in the end of the book so many children do not have to worry about the monster eating Simon.
Simon’s Book is one book that is to be treasured by every one of all ages. Henrik Drescher has mastered creativity beyond his ability to draw by creating intense scenes that keeps you wondering until the very end about whether or not the beast is going to eat Simon and then mellows down to a happier tone when the audience finds out that the beast is actually a friendly monster. This book is also great for children who are beginning to read since the format of this book is written in a kindergarten fashion as there are only a few words on each page and is great in reading new vocabulary, such as the book using the words “comfort” and “retreated.” Simon’s Book is a wonderful book for anyone who loves adventure and the power of friendship overcoming any obstacle in life.
Taken from my Book Blog: Rabbit Ears Book Blog: [BOOK REVIEW] Simon's Book by Henrik Drescher
uncle_remus's review
3.0
Kinda like Harold and the Purple Crayon, but with a little more drama, with a resolution of scary monsters not being so scary.
tin_squid's review
5.0
I've always remembered the art from this one. Always.
The pictures were so loose and active and exciting, they made me want to draw. And so I did.
I don't think I've ever lost that initial inspiration of motion and activity in my art. I can't do stationary or static nearly as well as something wild and mobile.
The story in this book is a little secondary to me. Its your basic tale of mistaken identity and learning more about others before you judge them. Great stuff, but for my weird little-kid mind that got lost behind the thought that there were adults that don't color inside the lines. I don't think anyone can trace a love of something back to a single event, but if I tried... I would have to credit this book with a huge portion of my love for drawing and painting.
The pictures were so loose and active and exciting, they made me want to draw. And so I did.
I don't think I've ever lost that initial inspiration of motion and activity in my art. I can't do stationary or static nearly as well as something wild and mobile.
The story in this book is a little secondary to me. Its your basic tale of mistaken identity and learning more about others before you judge them. Great stuff, but for my weird little-kid mind that got lost behind the thought that there were adults that don't color inside the lines. I don't think anyone can trace a love of something back to a single event, but if I tried... I would have to credit this book with a huge portion of my love for drawing and painting.