13 Apr 2018

DON'T EVER LOOK BEHIND DOOR 32.


DON'T EVER LOOK BEHIND DOOR 32 by B.C.R. FEGAN (With illustrations by LENNY WEN).


The magical Hotel of Hoo is a mysterious place with some very unusual occupants. As our guests explore the strange hotel, they are invited to experience everything it has to offer with just one warning… 

don’t ever look behind door 32
- Back Cover Blurb

Welcome to the magical Hotel of Hoo.
Where I'll be your host. 
Mr Nicholas Noo.
- First Sentence Verse

Through door number 20 
are cute little elves.
They help in the library and 
sleep on the shelves.
- Memorable Moment, Page unnumbered

SOURCE ... received with thanks from the author.

READ FOR A BOOK CHALLENGE? ... No.

MY THOUGHTS ... Though marketed at those aged three to eight years, still a big child at heart, I adored this book (as I'm sure its target audience will) with its grumpy clowns, its dancing zombies, its .... I could go on but why spoil the surprise that awaits visitors to the magical Hotel Hoo?

Delightfully spooky, educational and great fun. The imagination stretched, the suspense palpable, the second-person narrative drawing the reader in, encouraging discussion as to just who (or what) we'll find behind each door as we visit each room counting from one through to thirty .... thirty? Hmm, we are told 'Don't Ever Look Behind Door 32' but do we?

Written in rhyme, the author using only the words necessary to the story; nothing more and nothing less, making it a delight to read. The illustrator meanwhile shows us the characters and the hotel they inhabit. Beautifully done, the colours vibrant, I've read the book several times now and have always come away having spotted something new.

Summed up, as for as I'm concerned it ticked all of the boxes that make for a great children's read. Dare you look behind door 32? I certainly hope so.

11 comments:

Kelly said...

The visual image of a dancing zombie certainly makes me smile! It sounds like a really cute book. :)

Yvonne @ Fiction Books Reviews said...

The author and illustrator seem pretty well entrenched in their collaboration and have been rewarded with some truly amazing ratings and reviews, for all four books to date.

I wonder if you would say that the books are written in typically 'English' speech and spelling, without any Australian inflection or words, sneaking in?

It is difficult enough to get a young child into the mode of reading for themselves, without having the added troubles of explaining overseas colloquialisms and spelling differences, which might confuse.

I have total admiration for the new and upcoming round of illustrators whose work is hitting the shelves. Their imagination is unbridled and limitless, with the new tools and knowledge available to them.

It is also good to see the emergence of male authors in a genre traditionaly populated by females.

Definitely worth adding to my list, if only to find out what is behind door 32 :)

Thanks for sharing and enjoy your weekend :)

Yvonne

Anonymous said...

Tracy,
This sounds like a delightful and
lovely book, and I will add it to
my list. As your excellent review
also piqued my curiosity about what
is behind door 32.
Raven

Melliane said...

It looks good and I love the cover, it's cute!

Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer said...

I am sharing this for my Nonna's Corner this week and thought it was adorable.

WordsPoeticallyWorth said...

Greetings Terry. The series sounds like a good read, I will inform my Daughter to get a copy for my Grandchildren. Blessings to you. Love love, Andrew.

Heather said...

this sounds adorable.

Suko said...

What's behind door #32? I am intrigued. Wonderful review, Tracy!

Lindsay said...

This sounds brilliant fun to read! I love the mystery about what's behind door 32. I do like reading something written in rhyme now and again. Glad you enjoyed it Tracy.

Shooting Stars Mag said...

Oh how fun! I love that it rhymes; makes it an easy to read little story, I'd imagine. Thanks for sharing!! :)

-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net

DMS said...

The cover, title, and your review all made me curious about this book. It sounds like fun and of course I love rhymes. Thanks for sharing. :)
~Jess