Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Book?

Lauren Child's children's book, Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Book? is an enjoyable read that not only tells a good story, but also teaches to keep stories in good conditions. Child's character Herb loved storybooks so much that he reads them all the time. While Herb wasn't such a good reader, he was still quite appreciative of the pictures. Herb also reads his books everywhere (which also contributed to the dirtiness of many of his books). And that very night, Herb had been reading a storybook in bed. However, Herb fell asleep literally in the middle of the book. And so Herb's own story begins.

Because he had fallen asleep with his head on a page, Herb ended up falling into the story. He wakes up on an oddly lumpy bed to realize that it's not his. Things become odder when Herb finds a girl shrieking to him that he doesn't belong; it is her story and her page. Turns out that rude shrieking girl is Goldilocks. And indeed, that would be Goldilocks from the story of the three bears (whom Herb also ends up meeting).

And if meeting Goldilocks and the three bears isn't enough, Herb comes across children eating a gingerbread house, a man climbing up a girl's long hair, and a cat with a feathered hat and boots. However, Herb doesn't meet Prince Charming who is missing . . . although Herb probably had something to do with his disappearance.

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Book? is a fun book with a nice twist to the classical fairytales. Child's amazing artwork and illustrations are reason enough to buy this book. For those like Herb who aren't such 'good readers,' Child offers exquisite illustrations.