Henry's Quest

My goodness, what an absolutely astounding book. I've been a fan of Graham Oakley's witty, beautiful picture books since I was an infant and have been seeking out his less famous works ever since. This one is by far the most striking, and now my favourite of his non-Church Mice books.

It's just such a fascinating idea, one I would not expect in a picture book. His usual style of lots of hidden ideas in his detailed paintings which juxtapose the text for humorous effect has never been better utilised.

It's set in a sort of post apocalyptic world (each picture shows how our modern world has become overgrown and forgotten) in a simple village where the king is obesssed with Arthurian legends because it's the only book left. Our hero Henry, show more who loves fairy tales because that is the other only book that exists, leaves on a quest to find the magic petrol so that he can marry the king's daughter.

I'm not entirely sure if this book is supposed to be aimed at kids - there appears to be a porno movie theatre in one picture - and the whole story has a dark edge to it. But then it has the familiar delightful dry wit that appears in Oakley's books and it's published by Macmillan Children's Books so I guess it must be. The pictures really are a delight as by exploring them, the reader will learn more than the text lets on. For example when Henry enters what he thinks is a fairytale castle, we can see it is actually an old safari park, and he should definitely not go in there! The reader is repaid for their attention by understanding why Henry is then beset by wild beasts. There are so many other lovely superfluous details that add depth and magic to the story, like an old TV being used to house animals. While some picture books often veer towards artistic rather than fun, this one gets to be awing, imaginative and dark while still retaining a delightful cheery sense of humour.

It's a really fascinating, surprising book and I wish a lot more people could discover it. show less

Henry is sent on a quest: to discover the mysterious gas-o-line that makes all the dead machines run. People in this post-industrial world have taken over airplanes and hung their laundry from the wings, vines cover familiar landmarks, and cars are show pieces. Great fun.

I really want to read this book again but my current library does not have it :(