Joel Blackie - 'Jabberwocky'

Image courtesy of http://www.betterworldbooks.com/lewis-carroll-s-jabberwocky-id-0810935201.aspx

‘Jabberwocky ‘written by Lewis Carroll and illustrated by Graeme Base is a beautifully designed pop up picture book. The images leap out of the book to engage viewers in the story that is taking place, that is, what can be made with some of the nonsensical sentence structure. E.g. ‘the sword went snicker-snack!’ and ‘O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!’

I enjoy the level of interaction that can be taken from the book. On surface, it is the tale of a young male hunting down the beast known as the Jabberwocky much to the delight of the king when the boy returns with the beasts head in hand. The images reflect this, presenting the youth as a friendly looking adventurer, with the king slotting nicely into the role of the stereotypical wise white bearded king.  Throughout the text, the poem warns the reader to beware the claws and teeth of the Jabberwocky leading to the above representation of the beast as an evil entity. However, the first page (and cover) represents the beasts of the wild in a lighter, more social and friendly sense. They wear clothes and appear to be happy and laughing, this contrasts with the end scene of the king laughing gleefully with the presentation of yet another beast head to join the numerous heads that already adorn his wall.

A great modern day working on a classic poem complete with rich diagrams that are sure to engage any reader.

Joel Blackie.