Customer Reviews

Gonna Roll the Bones

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

spooky, but not scary, this atmospheric picture book by david wiesner based on the well-known fritz leiber novella is a trick of the eye and a treat!

To be honest I was a bit disappointed in this book because I bought it because of the wonderful landscape on the cover and the inside of the book is nothing like that. Now having said that, the art work on the inside of the book is wonderful and does go with the story... I just wish the cover matched the story better. I would not say this is a book for a young child, the story and its illustrations are geared to older children.

Gonna Roll the Bones tells the story of a man, bored with his home goes and sets of to find adventure. Its very similar in some ways to the fairy/folk tale "The boy who left home to find out about the shivers". While I found myself enjoying the story the tale itself and the imagery may get a little scary for younger children.

I had a few complaints about this book. Like one reviewer stated prior there is a very serious difference between the cover artwork and the interior illustrations. The cover with its sinister landscape and ominous colors is done in Wiesner's typical watercolors similar to his work on "Tuesday". The interior work is very loose sketches and heavy text. They fit the story but at times become quite spooky.

Overall this was a good read and I did enjoy the illustrations but couldnt recommend this for someone wanting to read to children 6 and under.

A man tired of his house and his family foes out to play craps at a place callee the boneyard in this dark fable. lThe illustrations progress from forboding to downright scarey. There is a lot of text for a picture book, and while the story is interesting and exciting, I am puzzled by the "Caldecott Medal" marketing. This book is not appropriate for young children because of the scarey pictures and long story.