Quentin Blake's a Christmas Carol

September 10, 2012
Blake interprets Dickensâs Christmas classic with his characteristically droll ink-and-watercolor illustrations. The oversize format, large print, and combination of both spot art and full-page images create an accessible layout for those first becoming acquainted with the story. Blakeâs loose style uses humor to temper the darker moments of Scroogeâs ghostly encounters: Jacob Marley resembles a disheveled version of The Simpsonsâ Mr. Burns more than a frightening apparition. Yet his cloaked Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come honors Dickensâs silent figure âshrouded in a deep black garment,â which leads Scrooge to his eventual redemption. Ages 7â9.

October 1, 2012

Gr 4-7-Originally published in Great Britain in 1997, this unabridged version of the holiday classic is delightfully illustrated with pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations. Some of the images are full page and colorful, others are brief vignettes, and all are bursting with Blake's trademark quirky liveliness. There are many versions of A Christmas Carol out in the world; this one, which includes a foreword by the artist, is quite nice. If your copies are tattered, you might want to consider this festive edition.-Mara Alpert, Los Angeles Public Library

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