Playhouse

Rating:
Summary: Great book but creepy conclusion
Review: Robert Munsch is a fantastic childrens' author. His books with illustrator Michael Martchenko are some of the most creative and enjoyable picture books out there. Unfortunately, this one starts well but doesn't succeed like their other joint productions.

In this book, a little girl asks her dad to build her a playhouse, and he does so in grand style. This playhouse looks like a guest cottage. But instead of revelling in her storybook wonderland, the girl gets more and more demanding. Most kids would assume she's going to get a come-uppance for her bratty behavior, but the way it's handled isn't going to make your kids comfortable.

Among the "more, more" things she demands are a play dad and mom for her playhouse. When her parents finally balk at her suggestion, she just makes them herself. Her parents do the same thing back to her. Maybe some kids might find that funny, but I think this is somewhat creepy. Kids don't want to feel they'll be replaced with a similacrum, even if they started it. Classic fairy tales of changelings usually had some sort of resolution; this story ends with a swapping rather than having it lead to the adventure attempting to put things right.

If a child gets a come-uppance in a kids' book, it shouldn't come at the hands of their own parents, and that's probably why this one just doesn't work. There's just too much of a moral to this one, and it's not done with his usual light touch.

Don't buy this one blind. Usually you can rely on Munsch and Martchenko, but this one is one of their rare misses.

Rating:
Summary: Great book but creepy conclusion
Review: Robert Munsch is a fantastic childrens' author. His books with illustrator Michael Martchenko are some of the most creative and enjoyable picture books out there. Unfortunately, this one starts well but doesn't succeed like their other joint productions.

In this book, a little girl asks her dad to build her a playhouse, and he does so in grand style. This playhouse looks like a guest cottage. But instead of revelling in her storybook wonderland, the girl gets more and more demanding. Most kids would assume she's going to get a come-uppance for her bratty behavior, but the way it's handled isn't going to make your kids comfortable.

Among the "more, more" things she demands are a play dad and mom for her playhouse. When her parents finally balk at her suggestion, she just makes them herself. Her parents do the same thing back to her. Maybe some kids might find that funny, but I think this is somewhat creepy. Kids don't want to feel they'll be replaced with a similacrum, even if they started it. Classic fairy tales of changelings usually had some sort of resolution; this story ends with a swapping rather than having it lead to the adventure attempting to put things right.

If a child gets a come-uppance in a kids' book, it shouldn't come at the hands of their own parents, and that's probably why this one just doesn't work. There's just too much of a moral to this one, and it's not done with his usual light touch.

Don't buy this one blind. Usually you can rely on Munsch and Martchenko, but this one is one of their rare misses.