Literary Critters: William Shakesbear's Journey for Inspiration - Hardcover

Zondervan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0310734096 ISBN 13: 9780310734093

Publisher: Zonderkidz, 2022

Synopsis

Literary Critters is a truly unique picture book, introducing young readers to classic literary figures and encouraging them to use their imaginations. As William Shakesbear visits his fellow Literary Critter Guild members, he’s greeted with lots of advice from his author friends and has some adventures along the way.

This playful story promotes literacy and storytelling as quirky playwright William Shakesbear sets off to find some inspiration for his new play. Along the way, Will asks his Literary Critter friends about what inspires them to write—including Mole Dahl, Crane Austen, Beatrix Trotter, Edgar Talon Crow, Yak Kerouac, C.S. Shrewis, Langston Mews, and more. He also invites young readers to become part of the Literary Critters Guild and continue growing in their love for all things reading, writing, and books.

Literary Critters includes:

• A playful introduction to iconic authors
• A personalized page in the book that invites the reader to become a member of the Literary Critters Guild
• Whimsical art and characters created by Sophie Corrigan
• Content for children ages 4-8, perfect for instilling a love of reading and literature

 

If your child loves Literary Critters, check out these other titles by Sophie Corrigan:

• Pugtato Finds a Thing
• Pugtato Babysits the Snouts
• And board book—Pugtato Let’s Be Best Spuddies

About this title

About the Author

Sophie Corrigan is a freelance illustrator and author from Lancashire, UK. She has illustrated many diverse items from books to calendars to T-shirts and more! When not illustrating and maintaining her online art shops, Sophie spends the spare time she has going to shows, watching nature programs, eating vegetarian food, hanging out with her pet cockatiels, and occasionally crafting cute things from wool and clay.

Reviews

Gr 1–2—Who doesn't love a good pun? Shakespeare did, so perhaps he'd like William Shakesbear, too. It is William's winter of discontent for he is full of "unspiration." He goes for a walk where he meets Mole Dahl, who has some Wonka Choc—say, this book is sending readers off to other books and other writers, as Corrigan (Pugtato, etc.) finds wordplay, swordplay, punnery, and quipping all to her liking. William does not wish to hibernate, but seeks someone with "storytelling sense and sensibility," and now things are becoming a bit strained for the picture book audience, till they come across a rabbit named Peter and his relative Benjamin, who inspire Beatrix Trotter no end. Yak Kerouac, Edgar Talon Crow, C.S. Shrewis, and more are all part of this exhausting pointless parade, and despite the many clever touches, this picture book never really finds its feet. VERDICT Despite characteristically whimsical and delicious watercolors of the very English pastoral countryside, leave this book in Mr. MacGregor's garden. Children will shift in their seats, waiting for the story to start, but it never does.—Kimberly Olson Fakih

Edition details

• Publisher: Zonderkidz
• Publication date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0310734096
• ISBN 13: 9780310734093
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Corrigan Sophie
• Number of pages: 32