Book Descriptions
for Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears by Emily Gravett
From The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY)
American librarians, parents, and teachers normally do not expect picture books to enumerate, illustrate, and define phobias for youngsters. Gravett turns all expectations upside down in this die-cut and nibbled, fold-out and flip-open simplification of ordinary—and extraordinary—fears. Using metafictive devices such as a newspaper interview with Mrs. Sabatier, the farmer’s wife who cut off the tails of the three blind mice, the author effec tively distances readers from their phobias. Furthermore, there are abundant opportunities for readers to laugh—at images, word play (whereamiophobia), and at themselves. The oil pencil and watercolor illustrations provide a topsy-turvy bricolage suitable to the subject. Author won the Kate Greenaway Medal, Macmillan Prize, and the Nestlé Bronze Award for her book Wolves . lmp
Originally published as Emily Gravett’s Big Book of Fears by Macmillan Children’s Books Great Britain, in 2007.
From the Publisher
Lions, and sharks, and bears! Oh, my!
Little Mouse does not like loud lions or sharp-tempered sharks. And bears are downright scary. But with a little bravery, a dash of creativity—and some crayons—Little Mouse can figure out how to tame even the scariest beasts.