The Poppykettle Papers - Softcover

Michael Lawrence

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1862053847 ISBN 13: 9781862053847

Publisher: Pavilion Childrens Books, 2001

Synopsis

The Poppykettle Papers is an epic adventure for children and is based on the old tales of the Hairy Peruvians, a community of tiny fisherfolk, who centuries ago sprang to life from sacrificial Inca dolls on the coast of Peru. The Hairy Peruvians had lived on this coast for generations, often at the mercy of El Nino, the temperamental sea god. Over the years, many expeditions set out in flimsy reed boats to see a more hospitable land across the ocean to the west, but none returned. Robert Ingpen's books The Voyage of the Poppykettle and The Unchosen Land, have enthralled Australian readers for two decades. Now young readers around the world will be able to enjoy this fabulous saga retold in The Poppykettle Papers by Michael Lawrence with wonderful illustrations by Robert Ingpen. The Poppykettle Papers recounts the exploits of Aloof the Far-Sighted and his resourceful sister Arnica and their quest to find the Unchosen Land in the company of Andante the Whistler, Astute the Wise, and their grandfather Don Avante. This book has all the ingredients - adventure, danger, bizarre situations, tragedy, triumph, strong characters, and more than a sprinkling of humour - to make it popular with children the world over.

About this title

About the Author

Michael Lawrence trained as a graphic designer, before becoming a freelance photographer for clients including the Financial Times and the BBC. He has written many books for children including The Poltergoose and The Killer Underpants. Robert Ingpen is an established Australian illustrator and author. He studied art at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and has written and illustrated more than 70 publications including children's books, fantasy and history. In 1986 he was the first Australian to win the coveted international Hans Christian Andersen Medal for Children's Book Illustration.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5 Up-When two boys discover a box in their barn, the small bundle of papers within starts an intriguing story. Written in an ancient language that takes an archaeologist to decipher, The Poppykettle Papers recount the adventures of a tiny people called the Hairy Peruvians. It seems that the god El Ni-o breathed life into diminutive dolls and gave each one a special gift. This is the tale of five of them as they sail the ocean in a poppykettle, a vessel used to make poppy tea for the gods. At El Ni-o's instruction, the little people go searching for a special feather and a dolphin's egg in order to be provided with a safe harbor. Along the way, they encounter huge iguanas, a terrifying Cunmerrie (part bird, part dragon), and a man-eating clam. Because of their special attributes, they achieve their goals and live happily every after. This unusual novel blends mystery, high adventure, and fantasy. While there are hints of Gulliver's Travels and Robinson Crusoe, the story is highly original. Readers will find this a fast-paced page-turner with plenty of monsters and creepy creatures. More importantly, the author emphasizes the power of individual talents and the spirit of cooperation to reach an objective. While Lawrence's choice of a name for his characters may be offensive to some readers, each Hairy Peruvian has a distinct personality with which young readers can identify. Ingpen's illustrations are painterly, giving the impression of danger and excitement without scariness. However, their placement is distracting as they don't always coincide with the text.
Barbara Buckley, Jericho Public Library, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Pavilion Childrens Books
• Publication date: 2001
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1862053847
• ISBN 13: 9781862053847
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 128