For slyly funny picture books for bigger kids, Mini Grey is a great pick. She’s not as raucously silly as kid fave Jon Scieszka, not as little-kid oriented as Mo Willems or David Shannon, but she’s one that adults can enjoy just as much as kids do, which makes her a perfect pick for reading together with a kid in, say, grades 2-6.
Traction Man is Here!
Traction Man meets Turbo Dog
by Mini Grey
Random House
ISBN: 978 0 375 83191 1 (is Here)
978 0 375 85583 2 (Turbo Dog)
Traction Man is an action figure – a strong-jawed, muscle-shirted specimen of miniature plastic heroism – and adventures he will have! With his trusty dog, Scrubbing Brush, at his side, he takes on the world of the kitchen in the hands of a very imaginative child, who does not really figure in the stories, though his influence is obvious and very funny. Int he second book, Traction Man meets Turbo Dog, and a whole new adventure begins… It’s the details that make these books for me, the things that are found around the kitchen and co-opted into the game in ways they were never meant to be used, or that become parts of the landscape. Grey’s drawings are filled with perfect little tricks that add immeasurably to the enjoyment of her books, just like this.
The Very Smart Pea and the Princess-To-Be
by Mini Grey
Random House
ISBN: 978 0 375 82626 9
This alternate take on the classic tale of the Princess and the Pea is told by the pea, who saw something special in the girl. Having been plucked from a bowl in the kitchen and placed in a bed, he hopped out from under the weight of all those mattresses, and whispered in the girl’s ear about how badly she had slept all night. The rest, as they say, is history… Of course, it’s not as simple as that, and half the joy of Grey’s books are the characters. The pea is no exception, and makes the most of the story he (she?) has to tell from the comfort of the plush museum case where he now spends his days, rewarded for the part he played in the royal family’s history. Make sure you read the original first, of course, so kids can really get the most out of this, but it is a fun addition to any fractured fairy tale list.
Three By The Sea
by Mini Grey
Knopf
ISBN: 978 0 375 86784 2
The cat, the dog, and the mouse were very happy living in their little
hut by the sea, when a stranger showed up. He starts pointing out the
flaws in their accepted arrangements, and sows seeds of discontent
before disappearing into the night. Fortunately, the three are such good
friends that while they do make some adjustments to accommodate wishes
and problems they hadn’t known existed, they go right back to being good
friends again. It’s a quirky little tale, and carries a rare bit of a message, but it is completely charming.
Jim: A Cautionary Tale
by Hillaire Belloc and Mini Grey
Knopf
ISBN: 978 0 375 85970 0
This one is a hilarious take on Belloc’s already tongue-in-cheek tale of Jim, who ran away from his nurse whilst at the zoo and learned exactly why this naughtiness was not allowed when he was found – and eaten – by a lion. It’s a gruesome end, to be sure, but the cartoon-y pictures make sure it is not too graphic, and the lion’s guilty face and posture actually make the moment of discovery pretty funny, in fact. Full of folds, flaps, and other tricks, this book is fun to explore and read together, even if it is not necessarily a great pick for a child of a nervous disposition. Others, though, will most likely find it hilarious.
She’s terrific fun, and if you want to read a truly delightful interview with her about her influences and sprinkled with plenty of spreads from her books, here’s one over here at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.