This is another book by Julia Donaldson. An author I'm slightly obsessed with! Jack and the Flum Flum Tree has many 5 star reviews dotted around the internet but I have to say, this one doesn't really float my boat.
There isn't that usual rhythmic rhyming that makes Donaldson's books so easy to read. The story, in my opinion, is also slightly more complex for children. At least, Oscar didn't really get into it and hasn't mentioned anything of the book (not even the occasional funny bits).
The story is about Jack who has a sick Grandmother, and at the doctors request he must travel to the Isle of Blowyernose to seek the fruit of the Flum Flum Tree, which is the only cure for the Moozles. His Grandmother sets him up with a bag to take with him which is full of everything he could possibly need along his journey and he sets off with his two friends encountering the likes of shark infested waters and a leaky boat. Whenever he needs something to rescue him, he says "don't get your knickers in a twist-lets have a look in the patchwork sack." This is probably the only good and memorable line from the book. It's very catchy and bound to be repeated by children who enjoy the book, it just doesn't seem to have caught on very well in our household.
As for the illustrations by David Roberts...I like them. It's new and different but still with that simple look to it. I just wouldn't have picked it out to be a Donaldson book had I not read her name on the front cover. She seems to have changed her direction a little bit which i just think...If it's not broken, don't fix it.
There isn't that usual rhythmic rhyming that makes Donaldson's books so easy to read. The story, in my opinion, is also slightly more complex for children. At least, Oscar didn't really get into it and hasn't mentioned anything of the book (not even the occasional funny bits).
The story is about Jack who has a sick Grandmother, and at the doctors request he must travel to the Isle of Blowyernose to seek the fruit of the Flum Flum Tree, which is the only cure for the Moozles. His Grandmother sets him up with a bag to take with him which is full of everything he could possibly need along his journey and he sets off with his two friends encountering the likes of shark infested waters and a leaky boat. Whenever he needs something to rescue him, he says "don't get your knickers in a twist-lets have a look in the patchwork sack." This is probably the only good and memorable line from the book. It's very catchy and bound to be repeated by children who enjoy the book, it just doesn't seem to have caught on very well in our household.
As for the illustrations by David Roberts...I like them. It's new and different but still with that simple look to it. I just wouldn't have picked it out to be a Donaldson book had I not read her name on the front cover. She seems to have changed her direction a little bit which i just think...If it's not broken, don't fix it.
Oh no! What a shame I love Julia Donaldson and the David Roberts Illustrations (as per The Troll) Shame it isnt so good. Will keep an eye open for it in the library!
ReplyDeleteMaggy
I have to say I would walk straight past this in the book shop it just doesn't have the kerb appeal her other books do!
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