Richard Byrne (3)

After a satisfying drawing session in which they create some flowers, the chalk characters in this goofy picture-book mystery go inside for a story, only to discover that their drawings have been stolen, when they come outside again. After this happens again, Sergeant Blue is called on to the case, and quickly tracks down the thief - a red-bottomed eraser. But is all as it seems...?

Although titled The Case of the Red-Bottomed Robber in its original UK edition, this story from show more author/illustrator Richard Byrne was repackaged as The Case of the Missing Chalk Drawings for its publication in the USA. The reason for this change eludes me, unless the American publisher thought the original title was too suggestive? For my part, I find it amusing, and far more charming than the American revision. Leaving that issue aside, this was just a fun little tale, one that young crayon and chalk lovers are sure to enjoy. show less

This book genuinely made me laugh. The greatest aspect of this book is the concept of the illustrations within the book "disappearing" into the spine of the book. It requires the reader to tilt and shake the book to free the characters within the spine, all while showing how the structure of a book can be manipulated. The illustrations are quirky, colorful, and almost drawn in a sort of "Harold and the Magic Crayon" way, which lends to the fantastical nature of the book. The overall message show more is that you should always proceed with caution when reading--you never know what you will encounter! show less

This is a super silly book about a girl whose dog seems to be eaten by the book as she crosses onto the next page. As townspeople try to help her, they themselves get eaten. The only way to get everyone back is for the reader to turn and shake the book. This could be very useful in the classroom to encourage a hands-on experience with the book, which must be turned sideways and upside down.

Playful metafiction where the characters interact with the gutter between pages in the book in fun and twisty ways and ask the reader for assistance.