Review: The Squickerwonkers

THE SQUICKERWONKERS

by Evangeline Lilly
& Illustrated by Johnny Fraser-Allen

Pages: 42 Hardcover

Publisher: Titan Books

Publication Date: November 18th 2014

ISBN: 9781783295456
Received From:  Titan Books

Summary 

Meet Selma of the Rin-Run Royals, a clever little girl who is spoiled to the core. One day Selma stumbles upon a band of colorful marionettes, and gets more than she bargained for. The remarkable Squickerwonkers of the fabulous Squickershow are about to teach Selma that she’ll not always get her way.

Review

Okay so kids books are not really my thing, being as I'm 22 and all. However, I'm not going to sit here and tell you I didn't do a little happy dance when this came through the post. I'm a huge fan of Evangeline as an actress (I actually quite liked the ending to Lost) and had heard about this book at a panel she did for Nerd HQ at Comin Con 2014.

The Squickerwonkers is a story about a little girl named Selma who finds herself in front of The Squickerwonkers, a group of puppet like creatures that like to put on a show. However, Selma is spoilt and when she doesn't get exactly as she wants things take a dark turn.

There is something really enticing about The Squickerwonkers, once you figure out how to pronounce it. The story doesn't have the generic kids book feel to it, it has a slightly darker edge. All good kids books have a moral to the story and this is no different, however, there is no happily ever after. It's a story that teaches children that there are repercussions for your actions and there isn't always a fairy godmother on hand to fix it. Sometimes you have to accept and deal with the consequences of your actions.

As far as the writing goes, it's a good, fun book. I think there is this notion that all kids books have to rhyme and I personally feel that it would have been just as good, although a lot different, if it hadn't been in verse. But then again that would have changed the whole book, which I did love. The moral was clear and concise and a twist on what we're used to.

There is a huge bonus to reviewing a kids book, THE PICTURES! This book, whether you like rhyme or not is absolutely stunning. The illustrations are quirky, creepy and instantly perfect for the text. The pictures themselves tell a dark and magical story and it's one of those books you'll keep forever.

Overall it's a good book that was interesting, intriguing and mind-blowingly creepy - in the best possible way. I would recommend this book to any of you with children of your own, little siblings or even for yourself. Worth the read and I'm glad I was lucky enough to get sent a copy.

**I received this book from Titan Books to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**