BOOK REVIEW: Alice In Wonderland: Down the Rabbit Hole by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by Eric Puybaret – a modern retelling by Joe Rhatigan & Charles Nurnberg

BOOK REVIEW: Alice In Wonderland: Down the Rabbit Hole by Lewis Carroll, illustrated by Eric Puybaret – a modern retelling by Joe Rhatigan & Charles Nurnberg

Koala Books
March 2015
Hardcover, $24.99
Reviewed by Steph O’Connell

Picture Book

6/10

The illustrations in this version of Alice in Wonderland are colourful and engaging, befitting the surreal tale they’re based on.

Unfortunately, in the telling of this tale, and the cutting out of large chunks to render it a better length for younger readers, the wording is at time confusing and incoherent, especially for one who doesn’t know the tale already… meaning this book does not read as smoothly as it might, specifically with its target audience in mind.

Of course, when trying to condense this tale down to just 32 pages, things will need to be cut. But when you take into account the fact that this story only covers the tale until after Alice meets the caterpillar, a few extra sentences wouldn’t have rendered this book too wordy for the age group.

I will be seeking out the following story, Alice in Wonderland: The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, and this is a nice addition to the collection of any fans of Alice, but it could have been so much more.

Category: Book Reviews, Other Reviews