Eric!

by Christopher Wormell

Most days everyone would agree that clumsy Eric is the opposite of a hero. But when a huge monster stomps down from the mountains, Eric might just get the chance to prove them all wrong...

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fantasy, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2012

About the author

Christopher Wormell is an English printmaker, principally known for his illustrated books.

Reviews

[Sylvester (Taking a break in 2023) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4* art
4* story

One of the reviewers said something about "playing to your weakness". I love that idea. A very smart thing to teach a child, if you ask me. And Squirt liked it, he got it.

[Jennifer Heise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes, playing to your weaknesses (or alleged weaknesses) works out pretty well. So when Eric, who takes other people's use of critical epithets on him rather too much too heart, hears that only someone who is an idiot, etc. would confront the oncoming monster, he figures it's a job for him.

-1 for ableist not to mention rude comments to a kid, but for a child-- or adult--who hears and internalizes such remarks, Eric is pretty heartwarming, and could open up the idea that the things other people criticize us for might not be all bad!

[Mehsi · Rating 2 out of 5]

A so-so book, I didn't really like how all the villagers treated Eric. It was just sad to say such things to a young child. Even if he did a lot of things wrong, no need to call him names.
The monster was cute (but also sad).

[Buku Arutala · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was started with a story of a young boy who did many stupid mistakes. His name was Eric. What he had done always went wrong, so he got called bad nicknames by people around him. He lost his confident and didn't know what his ability. He was hard to decide what would he do so he believed the only way he could do was runaway. In his little escape, suddenly he heard that people screaming out inside the jungle. They cried that there was a monster and looked for a hero who fool and dumb to fight with the monster. When hearing that fact, Eric was sure he could be a hero to save the people. He stood all alone to meet the monster. The monster came out and he actually was a lonely monster. He got bullying like a Eric so they shared the same feelings and became friends. Finally, Eric brought and introduced the monster with the people so that they got know who really the monster was. There was no one who felt fear with him again.

[Francesca Pashby · Rating 3 out of 5]

A boy and a monster meet ...

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

KS1 book about standing up against people's negative opinions - not the best executed but a nice read aloud with good dialogue.

[Sherry Tobin · Rating 5 out of 5]

It did make my son laugh. Good moral on friendship and he enjoyed the monster

[Caitlin Hoole · Rating 3 out of 5]

KS2 language and story

[Jenny · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 -

Not crazy about the names Eric is called!

[Eric Hinkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eric the hero!

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really don't think I can possibly put into words how much I love this book! My daughter loves it too, but it is one of my personal favourites. I think the story has a great lesson for both adults and children alike. The story is of a little boy (who is adorable) called, Eric, who all his life has been called names and put down. Feeling pretty down in the dumps he wanders off, only to be put in the face of danger, because he thinks he actually is all those mean things people called him. But things have a funny little way of working themselves out and Eric not only becomes an unlikely hero, he makes an unlikely friend.

This really is a charming little tale that is beautifully written, witty and wonderfully thought out. I think the illustrations are magical and capture the story perfectly. Best of all, this book will cause children and parents to think about how they treat others and how much name calling can hurt people.

This is a book that I will bang on about to anyone who will listen because I really do think it is an awesome picture book!

http://fictionfascination.blogspot.co.uk

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story itself is a little too simplistic (everyone calls Eric names, when he faces the monster it turns out he was called names as well, so the two become friends) but it works for younger ones if you're looking for a book about name-calling. I found the narrator speaking directly to the reader at different points an interesting technique, so this could work as a mentor text for a writing exercise.

[X · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is this boy different to us? Is he actually stupid or is it just what the others say? Does he feel worthless or does he have the magic of self-belief? Well, it's a hilarious ride with a bit of both sides in powerful, sudden contrast. We are tickled and moved by the alternating perspectives. How clever we are is not as important as how boldly we live, how we relate to others and how much change we can bring.

[MaryMartin · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a monster comes down from the mountains towards Eric's small town, it is said that only a TWIT, NITWIT, DUMMY, DUNCE or a DOPE would go after it and save everyone. Well, that's exactly what Eric is, or so they all have been telling him all his life. So off Eric goes to save the town...
This picture book is so great, it has such a lovely message.
I adore it.
Suzy

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice illustrations. Monsters are hard to draw, especially when they have to be big and scary but also cuddly and endearing at the same time. This monster particularly excels in the latter department, but is satisfyingly huge also, and might be considered scary to a child. (I mean in a good way!) Interesting style with some different renderings of forest that kept me intrigued.

[Irene Palfy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute - not my favourite but a really cute monster..

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

'The Gruffalo' meets 'There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom' this book was brilliant and an excellent addition to both the classroom bookshelf and to your own childs personal library.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eric has always been called a twit and stupid. But when I'm monster approaches his town, he hears that one would need to be a twit or stupid to stand up to the monster…