Customer Reviews

TROUBLE FOR TRUMPETS (Dragonfly Books)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The English cultivate a talent that we Americans, for all our inherent charms, lack. Consider for a moment the picture books of artists like Graeme Base or Peter Cross. In both their works, lush full-color illustrations are filled to overflowing with hidden details, small clues, and minor hilarities on almost every page. Of course, for all Base's charms, he can't hold a candle to Cross's work on the "Trumpets" series. I've never run across a picture book, no matter how beautifully illustrated, that sported the illustrator's name before the author's on the book's cover. "Trouble For Trumpets" is the first I've seen to do this, and deservedly so. Fairly reeking of its own Englishness, the story tells of a battle between good and evil in a fairly Redwallian manner. It's not for the plot that you'll be reading this book, however, but for the journey that takes you through its pages.

Podd welcomes you right from the start. He's a Trumpet, which is to say that he's a rather adorable creature that enjoy the summers and hibernates during the winters. Trumpets have a well-organized society and must continually protect themselves from the opposing Grumpet army. Grumpets are like Trumpets but they prefer the cold and dark and are intent on conquering the Trumpet land. In this particular tale, Podd and his friend Livingstone are on a bit of a vacation when they come across a Grumpet submarine. While the rest of the Trumpets are traipsing off to hibernate, Podd is intent on discovering what the Grumpets are up to. He spies on them and is captured rather quickly before he can ascertain the nature of the Grumpet "secret weapon". Fortunately, Podd is able to make a daring escape, warn the Trumpet army, and participate in a truly epic battle between Trumpet and Grumpet forces. In the end, the Trumpets win and Podd is allowed a much-deserved nap of his own.

The story, such as it is, is nothing much to crow about. Traces of "The Borrowers", "Redwall", and "Brambly Hedge" come to mind in its narrative. None of this is to say that the story is poorly written. I'm just pointing out that the real winner here is illustrator Peter Cross. I spent literally half an hour inspecting as many little tiny details as I could in a single picture, and I probably haven't even scratched the surface of what there is to find here. Cross makes references to Magritte and M.C. Escher, places little numbers all over the pictures with a corresponding key at the bottom of large color spreads, and is shockingly accurate when it comes to the flora and fauna of the British countryside. Mice, birds, insects, and reptiles are rendered completely realistically here. You can make out every little feather on his English Robin's breast and for some it will come as no surprise that starlings are the birds most used by Grumpets. And just in case you're feeling particularly in need of entertainment, Cross has hidden 22 faces amongst his illustrations throughout the book, as well as including a Grumpet alphabet for translating secret messages. Whew!

It's very sad to say, but the nearest American equivalent to Cross's work would have to be Martin Handford's, "Where's Waldo" books. And like "Waldo", I'm more than certain that if the "Trumpets" series achieved the same level of popularity, it would be banned just as quickly for the same reasons. Do you remember when some overly protective parent got "Waldo" banned because in one of the pictures featured a woman leaping out of her bikini top? Well, should a reissue of "Trouble For Trumpets" ever come to America's muddle-headed attention, the two pictures of topless female Trumpets (they're pin-ups and not grotesque or even particularly noticeable) would undoubtedly turn a few heads. By the way, don't go picking up this book if you're looking for strong female characters. The only gals you're going to find here are nurses, mothers, ladies on the wireless (tip o' the hat to World War II), and little girls. No fighters nor independent gals. We're talking 1940s roles for women. So eschew the book if you don't dig the archaic use of ladies.

I've hardly scratched the surface of what there is to find in this book. If you look at the cover you'll see references to future illustrations, a ladybug processional, Celtic Trumpets, machines to bowl over Rube Goldberg.... the list goes on and on. Undoubtedly some people will claim that the "Trumpet" series is too British for Americans. I disagree. If Alfred A. Knopf will do Mr. Cross the honor of republishing this title, I think we might all be pleasantly surprised by the reception it receives. In case that never happens though, let's just enjoy the book for what it is. A rousing gem to be treasured by those few who know about it.

I think that I will always enjoy this book and I really like it. I'm tweleve and I liked it the first time I read it. I think that this book should get some kind of reward. Like well..."The Best Book Of The Century". I think that everyone should read it. I think that little kids would really like it. I know that I did when I was alittle kid. I liked how the illistrater made such cool pictures.I mean that the pictures where really detailed. William Kenny

NEW EDITION, PLEASE!! Why are great kids' books like this allowed to fall out of print? All of my kids spent hours pouring over every page of this thing, seeking all the exciting little details that were hidden in the illustrations. The story is fun, the illustrations ravishing-- it's a joy to read to a 4 or 5 or 6-year-old, and older kids will enjoy reading it themselves. Seeing the prices on available copies, I'd better hang onto our tattered copy for eventual grand-kids....

I have had this book forever and i absolulty love it. all the little hidden treasures which i have spent hours looking at. the Grumpet Alphabet, the hidden faces (I still can only find 19, I don't think there are 22), and every thing else in general.

I grew up reading this book, the illustrations are wonderful and are so detailed. The best pictures are at the beginning of the book, with a map of the area, which details the cold winter land to the north and the warm summer land of the trumpets to the south. The pictures use real wildlife and down the side of each page their is a numbered key, which relates to the specific item on the picture. Such as Ladybirds, Robins and Blackberries. The story is marvellous, as the trumpets hibernate through the winter, and have to take a underground train to their lair. But trouble is in store for them when the enemies of the north advance. But with the help of the animals, the trumpets save the day.

hello my name is nick thomas,
When i was a younger child (i am now a teenager) i owned the book trouble for trumpets. Recently i have remembered the book and realized i have lost it and have not looked at it for a long long time. it was always my favourite book and i still wish to find another one, but the sad part is that it is now too much for a book i once owned. i highly recommend this book for anyone that has a superb imagination. this book inspired my life deeply. I am still tempted to find that book and for anyone looking for one go for it , that book was amazing.
thank you for your time.
Nicholas James Thomas

The book arrived in perfect condition, matching the description given, and it was well-packaged in a padded envelope. I bought this book to replace the one from my childhood which had been pretty much destroyed by neglect, and this is just what I needed.

The book was delivered ahead of the projected time, and was in excellent condition. Just as it was stated in the ad. A very good price-quality ratio.

This book is so awesome.The illustrations were incredibel. I would read it every week and still find more and new illusrations on every page. It was so interesting and fun to read. I enjoyed it as a child and still do!

This is simply the best book I have ever read