Literary Critters

Reviews

'An attack of writer's block sends upset ursine William Shakesbear out to seek inspiration from some strangely familiar friends. Except for hirsute Yak Kerouac ('No time to talk, Will! I'm on my way to EVERYWHERE!'), every animal tries to help--from Mole Dahl, who suggests that 'a little magic can take you a long way,' to C.S. Shrewish, who finds inspiration even in a box of Turkish delight. Beatrix Trotter snorts that there's 'something delicious about writing the first words of a story.' Edgar Talon Crow advises him to seek it 'in the shadows.' 'Hold fast to your dreams, Will!' purrs Langston Mews, sprawled out beside a (doubtless) deep river. Big-eyed Loris Carroll invites him to a tea party with fluttery Flyer Angelou and rotund T.S. Elephant. The puns don't stop there, but the bearish bard's imagination remains unfired until at last he lumbers back to his den to hibernate and 'perchance to dream.' And indeed, the following spring he wakes up with an idea for a play (tentatively?) titled 'A Winter-Long Dream' and closes with a letter to readers asking what they will be reading or writing next. In her cartoon illustrations, Corrigan sandwiches sweet views of friendly critters in appropriate period dress between a blank membership certificate in the Literary Critters Guild at the beginning and a closing portrait gallery of the authors on whom the characters were based. The play (on words) is definitely the thing! (Picture book. 7-9)'

'This charming tribute to famous authors - referenced with equally charming name puns - centers on William Shakesbear who is on a quest to find a new writing topic. Decked out in an Elizabethan ruff (neck collar) and fancy top, Shakesbear meanders through the countryside to visit various members of his Literary Critters Guild. Shakesbear's attire along with his quill and ink writing materials gently cue readers about the norms of his era. This artistic messaging told in appealing, semi-primitive, full-color drawings continues through each stop Shakesbear makes. All exchanges include cleverly inserted real-life author quotes from Critters such as Crane Austen, Beatrix Trotter, a pig in a cardigan; Yak Kerouac who's packed for travel; Edgar Talon Crow in his shadowy treehouse; and C.S. Shrewis with his wardrobe of fantastical ideas. Loris Carroll, Charles Chickens, Oscar Wild (a fox), George Claw-well (a cat), T. S. Elephant, the Prawnte Sisters, Flyer Angelou (a butterfly), William Wormsworth, Wagatha Christie (a dog), Langston Mews (a cat), and Chiktor Hugo (a tiny bird) all make appearances, too. Each exchange features art, quotes, and puns that reference the real-life author's best-known stories. By day's end, Shakesbear is replete with ideas and exhausted. He dreams deeply and wildly through a long hibernation and awakes ready to write his own play. The front and back matter feature full-page letters from Shakesbear to new members of the Literary Guild - the readers. These letters bookend the plot as well as urge readers to become writers. And while the letters' puns are not nearly as clever as those in the story, the sentiment behind the invitation is sincere.'

A 2023 CBC Teacher Favorites Winner

2022 Northern Lights Book Award Winner, Author/Illustrator Category