An odd book. It's not a story. It's not a story about a story. It's what comes before that. These are instructions for how to navigate a story, and by reading these instructions you read the story. It's not a story, but it will create a story in your mind.The language is wonderful, the pictures are stunning and they fit together very well.This is a book I'm going to read and reread many times, as every time will be a new adventure. And when my kids are just a wee bit older, I will read it to them as well! As one would expect from Gaiman, this book is intriguing. Who is it for? It's beyond picture-book aged kids, because it's written in 2nd person commands, as instructions for anyone caught in a fairy tale adventure (in the illustrations, which are attractive and intriguing as the text, the protagonist is a anthropomorphic cat.) Kids well versed in fairy tale will recognize the wisdom in each direction. It would be fun to help them remember the particular tale or tales to which each direction alludes. The adventures are engaging, the ending is sweet and positive. I would love to use it as a pattern for my creative writing class to bounce off from. Alas, no more classes!
What do You think about Instructions (2010)?
Not by favorite Gaiman children's book, but interesting nonetheless.
—jack
I want to own this book. It is wonderful (and useful).
—Paloma
