If you’ve read A Bit Lost & Shh! We Have a Plan you’ll know the treat you are in for when you delve in to Oh No, George! by the award winning illustrator and author, Chris Haughton.
Temptation .. temptation … because when you are told not to do something, well then that just becomes the one thing that you do want to do, and it becomes oh so hard to resist. Being good when you are a dog, with those great wide eyes which pick up on every ‘opportunity’, is just oh so tricky!
Cleverly designed to provide a cliff hanger at the turn of every page Chris’ story absorbs its young readers from the start. George has been left alone by his comically drawn owner, Harris with the tentative question,
“Will you be good, George?”
Each double page zooms round each dilemma as it present itself to the hapless George … he spots something, it’s a cake … what will he do? Que a full colour, full framed double page illustration of George very clearly giving in to temptation, well the cake did look good, and playing chase with the cat? Too much fun!
A tearful George presents Harris with his own favourite toy in order to make amends for the now dishevelled house … how accurately does that reflect the mindset of the young audience?! Clever. George has now firmly won himself a place in our hearts and we cheer him on as he goes out with Harris where he carefully and thoughtfully avoids all temptations until … ? A cliff hanger ending. Love it!
Chris has presented a deceptively simply story which provokes great reactions from its audience – think gasps, LOTS of ‘oh no!” and covered giggles! Find out more about Chris Haughton in his interview with My Book Corner.
Oh No, George! made the The CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2013 shortlist.
Leave a Reply