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The Dangerous Alphabet
A is for Always, that's where we embark . . .
Two children, treasure map in hand, and their pet gazelle sneak past their father, out of their house, and into a world beneath the city, where monsters and pirates roam.
Will they find the treasure? Will they make it out alive?
The Dangerous Alphabet is a tale of adventure, piracy, danger, and heroism told in twenty-six alphabetical lines—although even the alphabet is not to be relied upon here. A delightfully dangerous journey from national bestselling author Neil Gaiman and the monstrously talented Gris Grimly, The Dangerous Alphabet is sure to captivate and chillyoung readers.
Two children, treasure map in hand, and their pet gazelle sneak past their father, out of their house, and into a world beneath the city, where monsters and pirates roam.
Will they find the treasure? Will they make it out alive?
The Dangerous Alphabet is a tale of adventure, piracy, danger, and heroism told in twenty-six alphabetical lines—although even the alphabet is not to be relied upon here. A delightfully dangerous journey from national bestselling author Neil Gaiman and the monstrously talented Gris Grimly, The Dangerous Alphabet is sure to captivate and chillyoung readers.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published April 29, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 465 reviews
September 7, 2023
A pleasure to read anything by Neil Gaiman...this is a very different 'alphabet book'! Gaiman is what I call an 'onion' writer; he will pull off layer after layer to get to the center of the matter. But you have to make sure you understand the story completely by remembering the layers. What can't the guy do well!
September 17, 2010
THE DANGEROUS ALPHABET BY NEIL GAIMAN AND GRIS GRIMLY: A is for the author and artist of this book, Neil Gaiman and Gris Grimly. B is for the beautiful artwork on the pages that make you smile. C is for the creative design of The Dangerous Alphabet, which is impressive and astonishing. D is for the descriptive writing of Neil Gaiman, which keeps you turning every page. E is for the exiting story about the two children and their gazelle. F is for the funny things that happen in this book that make you laugh. G is for Gris Grimly who has done artwork for thirteen books, including this one. H is for the happy ending that almost wasn’t. I is for the impressive ways the children keep getting away. J is for the jumping cute gazelle who also gets away. K is for the kiss that’s in the middle of this book. L is for the big letters on each page that Gaiman uses to tell the story. M is for the monsters, the scary monsters that are everywhere in The Dangerous Alphabet. N is for the narrow escapes, as the children slip through the monsters’ fingers. O is for ordinary, which this story is not by any means. P is for the pretty gazelle again, because she’s so cute. Q is for the quandary that the children find themselves in in this story. R is for racing, as the children race across the pages, from beginning to end. S is for the silly but fun way this story and review are told. T is for the terrible things that the monsters do and almost do. U is for the unbelievable way the children must go to make it to the end. V is for the vim of the characters in this book; they are defiant and unstoppable. W is for wary, which you must be when reading The Dangerous Alphabet. X marks the spot near the end. Y is for your yell of joy when the children and the gazelle get away. Z is for the ZZZs everyone needs after this great adventure is finally over.
For more book reviews, and author interviews, go to BookBanter.
For more book reviews, and author interviews, go to BookBanter.
May 18, 2017
How do you know when you have entered a Neil Gaiman world? Well for one thing, a gazelle comes out to play! :D
The Dangerous Alphabet written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Gris Grimly is filled with all things ghastly, gross, scary, and fun. Eye balls, octopus, skulls, snakes, and courage find a home in the slime and sludge of Gaiman’s underground alphabet world. Every corner holds delightfully creepy treats!
My favorite letters:
“E’s for the Evil that lures and entices”
and
“G is for Good, as in hero, and morning”
The magical team of Gaiman and Grimly bring the alphabet adventure to life in a whole new way! You won’t look at some letters the same way again.
This book is not for all kids. Truth be told, it is super, super creepy.
I loved it! Gaiman has done it again.
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October 27, 2025Sometimes the books you once kinda liked just... hit a bit different when you learn too much.
This one used to be a 3 star read.
My original review - cause some can separate the art and this book had rather good elements... but I'm really struggling here.
This one used to be a 3 star read.
My original review - cause some can separate the art and this book had rather good elements... but I'm really struggling here.
Read
September 21, 2009Let me start by saying that I’m not sure I like this book. No, I like it. But my daughter doesn’t. And she’s the target age. Dangerous Alphabet is one of those hybrid books which are written for children, but which have a much older, more sardonic sense of humour in mind. Gaiman, a master of macabre, specialises in this. So while my five year old made me stop reading because she was “already getting nightmares and she hadn’t even gone to bed yet”, my ten year old absolutely loved it and kept trying to read it to his younger sister (for the torture value primarily), despite her attempts to get him to stop and take that “horrible book away.”
If you buy it for a child that is of picture book age, you may well have a similar scenario. This is, as the title suggests, an alphabet book. But forget about sweet glittery things. A may be for “always”, but the youngsters that enter this sewer of horrors soon discover that “E’s for the evil that lures and entices”, and “F is for Fear and its many devices”. There are muffled screams, pies cooked with human looking bones, chained up children, piracy, skulls, vile deeds, and lots of monsters. In short, as is his wont, Gaiman has tapped into the psyche to produce a terrifying trip through an amusement park horror show.
It’s also extremely funny, in a black, gruesome way. Older children will love it. There is a little mix-up on the alphabet which children will feel good pointing out, and even a kind of happy ending as the boat comes through the tunnel to the letter Z, though I struggled to convince my daughter of that. The watercolour and ink illustrations are superb – incredibly detailed, with nightmarishly surreal imagery on every page. You might not want your child to look too closely though, as every element, from the chains on the author, the organs in jars, or the maggoty meat on a plate, comes straight from the deepest, most terrified parts of the human psyche. The humour (such as finding two well dressed lovebirds in a boat next to a monster--crossed tunnel-lines perhaps) requires an older perspective to appreciate.
So, while I enjoyed this book for its originality, its anti-cuteness, the amazing detail and intensity of its horror, and the depth and cleverness of its naughty humour, I’m not sure I’d recommend that you buy it for your five year old daughter or niece. Parents probably won’t appreciate it. But ten year old boys will, definitely.
If you buy it for a child that is of picture book age, you may well have a similar scenario. This is, as the title suggests, an alphabet book. But forget about sweet glittery things. A may be for “always”, but the youngsters that enter this sewer of horrors soon discover that “E’s for the evil that lures and entices”, and “F is for Fear and its many devices”. There are muffled screams, pies cooked with human looking bones, chained up children, piracy, skulls, vile deeds, and lots of monsters. In short, as is his wont, Gaiman has tapped into the psyche to produce a terrifying trip through an amusement park horror show.
It’s also extremely funny, in a black, gruesome way. Older children will love it. There is a little mix-up on the alphabet which children will feel good pointing out, and even a kind of happy ending as the boat comes through the tunnel to the letter Z, though I struggled to convince my daughter of that. The watercolour and ink illustrations are superb – incredibly detailed, with nightmarishly surreal imagery on every page. You might not want your child to look too closely though, as every element, from the chains on the author, the organs in jars, or the maggoty meat on a plate, comes straight from the deepest, most terrified parts of the human psyche. The humour (such as finding two well dressed lovebirds in a boat next to a monster--crossed tunnel-lines perhaps) requires an older perspective to appreciate.
So, while I enjoyed this book for its originality, its anti-cuteness, the amazing detail and intensity of its horror, and the depth and cleverness of its naughty humour, I’m not sure I’d recommend that you buy it for your five year old daughter or niece. Parents probably won’t appreciate it. But ten year old boys will, definitely.
May 15, 2018
The story here was disappointing in that . . . well, there wasn't much of one. But, the artwork was done by GRIMLY, so that makes the experience sublime.
And, I love that for the author info inside the back cover, Grimly drew Gaiman's portrait, and Gaiman drew Grimly. Nifty!
And, I love that for the author info inside the back cover, Grimly drew Gaiman's portrait, and Gaiman drew Grimly. Nifty!
February 9, 2016
Now, I have read many of Neil Gaiman’s books and I usually loved his adult and young adult fantasy novels since they are so full of excitement! So it is rare that I read any of Neil Gaiman’s children’s books and I just happened to stumble upon his children’s book “The Dangerous Alphabet” along with illustrations by Gris Grimly!
The story starts out with two children and their cute pet gazelle sneaking past their father and going to a world that is located beneath the surface. It was here that the two children ended up meeting a group of monsters and pirates, who then ended up kidnapping the girl and taking her to their lair where they plan to eat her.
Can the boy and their pet gazelle save the girl from the pirates and monsters?
Read this book to find out!
What I always loved about Neil Gaiman’s books is that they are so imaginative and you actually feel like you are living in the worlds that he has woven for the readers. “The Dangerous Alphabet” is no exception as this is clearly the most imaginative children’s book about the alphabet that I had ever read! I loved the fact that Neil Gaiman presented the alphabet in a more narrative tone rather than just stating some random objects that happened to start with whatever letters they are representing. It made the story more creative and interesting to read and I was literally sitting on the edge of my seat trying to see if the boy and the gazelle would rescue the girl in time. Gris Grimly’s artwork is delightfully creepy and fits well with the horrific and intense tone of this story. I loved seeing the creepy creatures that pop up in the background such as seeing a dead rat floating in the river and some other children getting kidnapped as it gives the situation an intense and chaotic feel. I also liked the fact that Gris Grimly drew the children’s pet gazelle as being adorably cute as the gazelle contrasts strongly with the grim artwork of the book.
Parents should know that Gris Grimly’s artwork might be a bit creepy for some children as there are images of monsters and pirates terrorizing the two children and their pet gazelle throughout the whole story. Some of the creepy images that might stand out for some children are the images of the dead rat floating in the moat and of the children being chained up by the pirates and monsters. These images might be unsettling for not only children, but also for parents who do not want to see children chained up.
Overall, “The Dangerous Alphabet” is a fantastic book that is full of dark moments and imagery that any child who enjoys a good horror story would easily enjoy! I would recommend this book to children ages seven and up since the disturbing imagery and intense storyline might be scary for some children.
Review is also on: Rabbit Ears Book Blog
May 17, 2009
This is not your typical alphabet book, but it’s definitely a Neil Gaiman book. It’s not really for preschoolers who are learning the alphabet. It’s for readers who know their alphabet, and who can enjoy overtly creepy content. For those readers, I guess the book can be interesting. There’s a deliberate mistake in the order of the letters that some might find enjoyable to notice.
The gist of it is that every time I read a Neil Gaiman book I want to love it but at most I just like it. I also wasn’t wild about the illustrations in this. But I give it the stars I do for its creativity and uniqueness.
The gist of it is that every time I read a Neil Gaiman book I want to love it but at most I just like it. I also wasn’t wild about the illustrations in this. But I give it the stars I do for its creativity and uniqueness.
May 23, 2009
I liked Gaiman's alphabet poem but was not wild about Grimley's illustrations, especially for the ABC book demographic. But I don't think this was written with small children in mind.
December 4, 2008
As much as I adore Gaiman (ahem), GRIS (not "Cris") Grimly was the reason behind my purchase of this book. I'm CRAZY for the man, in a way that might not be 100% healthy.
In any event, I've got seven or eight (or ten) books illustrated by the Mad Creator (www.madcreator.com), all signed by him, and most of them in person (did I just paint the most pathetic picture of myself? Never mind that.). How jealous are YOU?
Well, you would be, if you were Gris' Number One Fan.
In any event, I've got seven or eight (or ten) books illustrated by the Mad Creator (www.madcreator.com), all signed by him, and most of them in person (did I just paint the most pathetic picture of myself? Never mind that.). How jealous are YOU?
Well, you would be, if you were Gris' Number One Fan.
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October 23, 2022Wow, this is amazing!
Sure to delight some children and horrify others, this alphabet picture book stands apart from all other literary primers. For one thing, it is intended, I think, for slightly older children than would typically be reading an alphabet book. There is a bit of an unexpected approach near the end, and the author (as indicated by a note at the start of the story) clearly expects his readers to be familiar enough with the ABCs to pick up on the reason that the alphabet given in this story can't be trusted. (Gee, could it be dangerous to trust it?)
This alphabet is given in 13 rhyming couplets, which don't so much tell the story as offer commentary on it. The plot is surprisingly intricate, but it comes more through the illustrations than through the text. The plot is that two "brave" children set out on a boat ride. The brother is clearly the more dominant of the two, pulling his sister along behind him and acting as the leader of their party. In her one moment of autonomy, the sister falls for a villain's trick and gets herself captured; she then spends the rest of the book trapped with so many other victims until her "hero" brother finds the bad guys, follows them, fights with his sword, and rescues her. In general, I don't tend to get as invested in books when most characters are passive and only one active—there's just not a lot of interaction in general—but I do think this book did a decent job of showcasing the sister's personality even when she doesn't have much to do. She is still strong and (mostly) dignified, even when horrible things are done to her.
And speaking of horrible things, this book has them. And they all happen to innocent children the monsters have taken (and they mostly happen in the pictures, not the text). There is horror and anguish and (implied) eating of children. There is disturbing nightmarish imagery. There are fingers and chains and giant eyeballs. There is a (somewhat veiled) reference to hell. There is confinement and torment and despair. There is graphic bloody violence (to children). In a word, it's macabre.
And oh!—is it ever something! It's the kind of horrifying book that kid-me would have liked. Again, not 3-year-old, just-learning-the-alphabet me, but maybe 9-year-old, able-to-appreciate-irony me. Nine-year-old me was tired of sanitized stories where bad things never actually happened. Where it was hard to take the danger seriously because I knew the author would never actually let it manifest. Where no one ever suffered, and consequently, no one was ever strong. Kid-me, if I had read THIS book then, would have felt somehow that Gaiman and Grimly were different from other authors, that they perhaps trusted their readers—even their child readers—to read about unpleasantness and pain and horror, not to need things to be all sunshine and rainbows. And of course, once you've had the dark night of terror, what comes next? Why, the dawn, of course. How glorious.
This book is also quirky! For example, one character's favorite letters is thorn (hey! That's MY favorite letter!). I doubt the authors expect kids to know what the þ is, but there is also a bit of an explanation given, so no one should feel condescended to. In addition, although this is a children's book, there is plenty to appeal to adults as well. For example,
While this book undoubtedly has appeal for grownup readers, this ultimately IS a journey for (older) children. The authors trust their readers, and that is perhaps the book's greatest strength. Bad stuff happens, but there is courage, too, from both children. There is a lot of drama that builds throughout, up to a satisfying conclusion. There is humor, too, and a bit of a meta flavor, as the author even wrote himself in as a character. The pictures have much detail and nuance, and astute readers will find a great deal of enjoyment in illustrations. There is a warning at the beginning not to trust the alphabet as given here, so there is an element of mystery, for kids to find what's untrustworthy about it—to get the readers to be in on the joke. And the ending is absolutely perfect.
Sure to delight some children and horrify others, this alphabet picture book stands apart from all other literary primers. For one thing, it is intended, I think, for slightly older children than would typically be reading an alphabet book. There is a bit of an unexpected approach near the end, and the author (as indicated by a note at the start of the story) clearly expects his readers to be familiar enough with the ABCs to pick up on the reason that the alphabet given in this story can't be trusted. (Gee, could it be dangerous to trust it?)
This alphabet is given in 13 rhyming couplets, which don't so much tell the story as offer commentary on it. The plot is surprisingly intricate, but it comes more through the illustrations than through the text. The plot is that two "brave" children set out on a boat ride. The brother is clearly the more dominant of the two, pulling his sister along behind him and acting as the leader of their party. In her one moment of autonomy, the sister falls for a villain's trick and gets herself captured; she then spends the rest of the book trapped with so many other victims until her "hero" brother finds the bad guys, follows them, fights with his sword, and rescues her. In general, I don't tend to get as invested in books when most characters are passive and only one active—there's just not a lot of interaction in general—but I do think this book did a decent job of showcasing the sister's personality even when she doesn't have much to do. She is still strong and (mostly) dignified, even when horrible things are done to her.
And speaking of horrible things, this book has them. And they all happen to innocent children the monsters have taken (and they mostly happen in the pictures, not the text). There is horror and anguish and (implied) eating of children. There is disturbing nightmarish imagery. There are fingers and chains and giant eyeballs. There is a (somewhat veiled) reference to hell. There is confinement and torment and despair. There is graphic bloody violence (to children). In a word, it's macabre.
And oh!—is it ever something! It's the kind of horrifying book that kid-me would have liked. Again, not 3-year-old, just-learning-the-alphabet me, but maybe 9-year-old, able-to-appreciate-irony me. Nine-year-old me was tired of sanitized stories where bad things never actually happened. Where it was hard to take the danger seriously because I knew the author would never actually let it manifest. Where no one ever suffered, and consequently, no one was ever strong. Kid-me, if I had read THIS book then, would have felt somehow that Gaiman and Grimly were different from other authors, that they perhaps trusted their readers—even their child readers—to read about unpleasantness and pain and horror, not to need things to be all sunshine and rainbows. And of course, once you've had the dark night of terror, what comes next? Why, the dawn, of course. How glorious.
This book is also quirky! For example, one character's favorite letters is thorn (hey! That's MY favorite letter!). I doubt the authors expect kids to know what the þ is, but there is also a bit of an explanation given, so no one should feel condescended to. In addition, although this is a children's book, there is plenty to appeal to adults as well. For example,
While this book undoubtedly has appeal for grownup readers, this ultimately IS a journey for (older) children. The authors trust their readers, and that is perhaps the book's greatest strength. Bad stuff happens, but there is courage, too, from both children. There is a lot of drama that builds throughout, up to a satisfying conclusion. There is humor, too, and a bit of a meta flavor, as the author even wrote himself in as a character. The pictures have much detail and nuance, and astute readers will find a great deal of enjoyment in illustrations. There is a warning at the beginning not to trust the alphabet as given here, so there is an element of mystery, for kids to find what's untrustworthy about it—to get the readers to be in on the joke. And the ending is absolutely perfect.
September 3, 2019
The alphabet book gets the Neil Gaiman/Gris Grimly treatment in this entertaining little tome. "A is for Always, that's where we embark; / B is for Boat, pushing off in the dark" - and so begins the rhyming narrative of this alphabet adventure story, as a boy and girl navigate a creepy underground river, encountering every sort of monster imaginable, until they emerge again at the end. Or rather, at Z...
Pairing an entertaining read-aloud text in rhyme and deliciously gruesome artwork, The Dangerous Alphabet is a picture-book in the truest sense. Gris Grimly's illustrations are an intrinsic part of the narrative - without them, most of the story would remain untold, as the boy and girl (along with their intrepid gazelle) pass through many adventures whose true reality is only partially captured (if at all) by the text. Although I wouldn't describe this one as a personal favorite, I did enjoy it, and would recommend it to anyone looking for fun and rather frightening alphabet books, as well as to Neil Gaiman and/or Gris Grimly fans.
Pairing an entertaining read-aloud text in rhyme and deliciously gruesome artwork, The Dangerous Alphabet is a picture-book in the truest sense. Gris Grimly's illustrations are an intrinsic part of the narrative - without them, most of the story would remain untold, as the boy and girl (along with their intrepid gazelle) pass through many adventures whose true reality is only partially captured (if at all) by the text. Although I wouldn't describe this one as a personal favorite, I did enjoy it, and would recommend it to anyone looking for fun and rather frightening alphabet books, as well as to Neil Gaiman and/or Gris Grimly fans.
July 8, 2011
This is a strange book if only because I'm not sure who the target audience is - kids or adults? On appearance it seems like a kids' book - it's rhyming couplets featuring a letter of the alphabet per line is too short and simplistic for an adult so it must be for kids. But when you see the pictures in the book you probably wouldn't give your child this book. Even though I thought the artwork was cool, there are pictures of kids being abducted, chained up, and cooked into pies! The "story" has two kids and their pet "gazelle" (Gaiman trying a bit hard to be quirky) venture into the sewers where a number of shady characters try to catch them but they escape. In the end I think parents wouldn't think the book suitable for kids and adults would see it as too short to be worth spending money on. It's probably for Gaiman's fanbase who'll buy anything this man puts out, but for the more casual reader looking for something? Try elsewhere, this book isn't anything.
April 26, 2021
I happen to stumble upon this book, it's from Gaiman so I wanted to read and pass it on to my niece. It's a strange book - somewhat dark for picture-book-aged children such as the ones who hide behind cushion seeing mutated minions, while too short for older readers.
July 11, 2008
Take this review with a grain of salt, as I am just not a Neil Gaiman fan. Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of Neil Gaiman. He seems like a cool guy and all that, but when I get down to reading one of his books, I'm never terribly impressed, and I end up wondering what all the fuss is about.
This one just had me shaking my head. The rhymed couplets are cute, sometimes even clever. There's no real through-line, no plot (which is possible to have, even in an alphabet book written in rhyme), but I figured that was OK, since it is, after all a picture book, and the illustrations are meant to share -- sometimes even carry -- the burden of telling the story.
But the pictures, by the usually-fabulous Gris Grimly, seemed "unreadable" to me as well. I couldn't seem to tell what the heck was going on in many of the illustrations. I don't know if it was the earthy color palette, or what. My eye just couldn't settle and parse what was happening in the pictures.
And, um SPOILER: Neil Gaiman intentionally messes up the end of the alphabet in order to make his couplets rhyme. To me, this was a big no-no. Granted, he does warn the reader to be on the lookout for an error, but for me, an intentional error would have been more worth it, more fun, more clever, if there had just been...more. Really play with it, turn the alphabet on its head somehow, instead of just swapping the position of two letters to make your rhymes scan.
So, yeah. Didn't like it. Sorry, multitudes of Neil Gaiman fans.
This one just had me shaking my head. The rhymed couplets are cute, sometimes even clever. There's no real through-line, no plot (which is possible to have, even in an alphabet book written in rhyme), but I figured that was OK, since it is, after all a picture book, and the illustrations are meant to share -- sometimes even carry -- the burden of telling the story.
But the pictures, by the usually-fabulous Gris Grimly, seemed "unreadable" to me as well. I couldn't seem to tell what the heck was going on in many of the illustrations. I don't know if it was the earthy color palette, or what. My eye just couldn't settle and parse what was happening in the pictures.
And, um SPOILER: Neil Gaiman intentionally messes up the end of the alphabet in order to make his couplets rhyme. To me, this was a big no-no. Granted, he does warn the reader to be on the lookout for an error, but for me, an intentional error would have been more worth it, more fun, more clever, if there had just been...more. Really play with it, turn the alphabet on its head somehow, instead of just swapping the position of two letters to make your rhymes scan.
So, yeah. Didn't like it. Sorry, multitudes of Neil Gaiman fans.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2008
Synopsis
Neil Gaiman and Gris Grimly team up in this spooky alphabet book.
Review
This alphabet book is an excellent choice for fans of Limony Snicket and Edmund Gorey. It shows children in creepy and mildly dangerous situations. For example, "E is for Evil that lures and entices." But despite the ominous rhymes and lurking danger, the children get out at the end.
The book contains an intensional error that children might enjoy pointing out. Despite this, enitive younger children might not appreciate the book as much a parents and older sibling would.
Critical Reviews
Children's Literature
This reveiw rightly states that the intended audience of thi book is older children and adults with a goulish asthetic rather than children learning alphabetic awareness. Though it misses the alphabetic mix up, it does make note of "C is for the way that we find and we look. And it hs the obligatory comparison to Edmund Gorey.
Kirkus
Instead of Gorey, this review invokes Tim Burton. It mentions a bit more of the "plot" of the book but does concede that the couplets have a haphazard relationship to their letters. It feels that the real audience of this book is fans of the creators rather than children.
Other Bibliographic Information
Published in 2008 by Harper Collins
Pages: 29
Ages: 5 and up.
Neil Gaiman and Gris Grimly team up in this spooky alphabet book.
Review
This alphabet book is an excellent choice for fans of Limony Snicket and Edmund Gorey. It shows children in creepy and mildly dangerous situations. For example, "E is for Evil that lures and entices." But despite the ominous rhymes and lurking danger, the children get out at the end.
The book contains an intensional error that children might enjoy pointing out. Despite this, enitive younger children might not appreciate the book as much a parents and older sibling would.
Critical Reviews
Children's Literature
This reveiw rightly states that the intended audience of thi book is older children and adults with a goulish asthetic rather than children learning alphabetic awareness. Though it misses the alphabetic mix up, it does make note of "C is for the way that we find and we look. And it hs the obligatory comparison to Edmund Gorey.
Kirkus
Instead of Gorey, this review invokes Tim Burton. It mentions a bit more of the "plot" of the book but does concede that the couplets have a haphazard relationship to their letters. It feels that the real audience of this book is fans of the creators rather than children.
Other Bibliographic Information
Published in 2008 by Harper Collins
Pages: 29
Ages: 5 and up.
March 15, 2017
Very unusual. Not for little kids. Just for fun. Doesn't really teach anything, not even the alphabet.
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June 13, 2017This one seems like it's for adults and supervised children. Oodles of spoilers and my opinions on the events of the story could skew your opinion if you haven't read it yet.
The inner flap says ages 5 and up. The only benefit I can see for this book being read by children is to scare them into 'don't talk to strangers.' Children are kidnapped and chained up in this book. They are running away from men in suits. And it looks like one is sold..it's under "P" for piracy. There are some phrases that say you must listen to these warnings. And on the first page, it says evil folks should never be encouraged.
This book would trouble adults simply because we are aware of dangers. Children could get nightmares because it's about scary looking people. There are a few monsters who also aid the people.
I wonder if healthy conversations can stem from this book under the right conditions? I have to wonder though, how would a book like this affect a child's psyche? Could it be a more aggressive warning for children because of a perceived increase in danger for them? Is the world more dangerous than before? What motivated Gaiman & Grimly to write & illustrate this?
It's my 1st Neil Gaiman book, so I'm curious to see what his style is because he's such a popular writer.
The inner flap says ages 5 and up. The only benefit I can see for this book being read by children is to scare them into 'don't talk to strangers.' Children are kidnapped and chained up in this book. They are running away from men in suits. And it looks like one is sold..it's under "P" for piracy. There are some phrases that say you must listen to these warnings. And on the first page, it says evil folks should never be encouraged.
This book would trouble adults simply because we are aware of dangers. Children could get nightmares because it's about scary looking people. There are a few monsters who also aid the people.
I wonder if healthy conversations can stem from this book under the right conditions? I have to wonder though, how would a book like this affect a child's psyche? Could it be a more aggressive warning for children because of a perceived increase in danger for them? Is the world more dangerous than before? What motivated Gaiman & Grimly to write & illustrate this?
It's my 1st Neil Gaiman book, so I'm curious to see what his style is because he's such a popular writer.
October 19, 2009
Summary:
In one of the most disturbing, yet intriguing alphabet books I have ever read, Neil Gaiman tells the story of two brave children and their pet gazelle, as they travel through the dark, grimy sewers of their city where "monsters and pirates roam" in search of treasure. The images of evil creatures, spiders, skeletons, and children wrapped up and in shackles create a evil fantasy world that would be disturbing to young readers, but would definitely appeal to an older, more fearless audience. The text follows a "A is for..., B is for..." pattern, relying heavily on the dark, detailed illustrations. The most disturbing is probably "M is for mirrors you'll stare in forever," depicting a young, blonde-haired girl, chained to a collection of 8 mirrors with eye-less, mummy-like creatures reflected back at her. Gaimen and illustrator, Gris Grimly have definitely created the darkest of fantasy worlds in 34 pages!
In one of the most disturbing, yet intriguing alphabet books I have ever read, Neil Gaiman tells the story of two brave children and their pet gazelle, as they travel through the dark, grimy sewers of their city where "monsters and pirates roam" in search of treasure. The images of evil creatures, spiders, skeletons, and children wrapped up and in shackles create a evil fantasy world that would be disturbing to young readers, but would definitely appeal to an older, more fearless audience. The text follows a "A is for..., B is for..." pattern, relying heavily on the dark, detailed illustrations. The most disturbing is probably "M is for mirrors you'll stare in forever," depicting a young, blonde-haired girl, chained to a collection of 8 mirrors with eye-less, mummy-like creatures reflected back at her. Gaimen and illustrator, Gris Grimly have definitely created the darkest of fantasy worlds in 34 pages!
May 12, 2009
If you get creeped out by the slightest dark illustration, I would suggest that you steer clear of this book. But if you thrive on dark elements and don't mind the occasional grotesque drawing illustrating the children's plight in this story and are already a fan of Neil Gaiman, you will probably enjoy this book. While I didn't think the drawings were horrific or anything, I was still slightly disturbed by some of them. And I am quite glad that this book was not labeled under "children's" just because it was in that format. For this book is most definitely not a children's book. Calling it a juvenile book might also be a little on the edge. Still, I enjoyed seeing the alphabet through Neil's eyes.
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009...
*Taken from my book reviews blog: http://reviewsatmse.blogspot.com/2009...
December 19, 2010
Well, this is the first book I am able to place on the for-my-boys shelf and one of my horror shelves, as well as one of the books sitting wrapped under my Christmas tree. This little twisted tale from Gaiman and Grimly is unique. I am still unsure as to what my boys reactions will be but I expect a kind of sick fascination that most children exhibit towards things frightening and unusual.
There is one picture I might have to place my hand over when I read but that will just draw more attention to the little girl chained to the wall, blood around the manacles, so I'll probably just, well, I'm not sure. Does this equate into scaring my kids into remembering their ABCs?
There is one picture I might have to place my hand over when I read but that will just draw more attention to the little girl chained to the wall, blood around the manacles, so I'll probably just, well, I'm not sure. Does this equate into scaring my kids into remembering their ABCs?
February 13, 2016
I bought this because it came up as a suggestion when I dropped Odd and the Frost Giants in my Amazon cart. I thought it might make a fun gift for a friend. It's definitely too weird for my friend and her three-year-old, so it may go to a friend my age with a fondness of Edward Gorey--or I may donate it to the library. It's not really my cup of tea. Even the imperiled little kids are rather creepy, with their vacant eyes and gnarled hands.
March 18, 2015
3 stars to Gris Grimly's wonderful illustrations.
I'm sorry to say but Gaiman seems to have put no effort into this...
March 22, 2016
This is quite the wonderful little children's story and I love the illustrations.
July 6, 2019
I'm not sure who would be the audience for this book since alphabet books target pre-schoolers, and this book is not appropriate for that age group. A brother, sister, and their pet gazelle travel through a city's underground sewer system, which turns out to be a maze of malicious monsters. The story, told in rhyming couplets, is disjointed and the text is unclear (and I'm an adult reader with an advanced degree in English). The lines for I and U are metafictional, though the rest of the story is not. The letters V and W are in reverse order for no reason I can determine, though the first-page preface warns readers to search for the "dangerous flaw." The illustrations are the stuff of children's nightmares, including imprisoned, shackled, and abducted children. There are children in straitjackets and children being boiled alive in a cauldron. Teens might enjoy the art, but you won't get them to read an alphabet book.
January 5, 2018
Witty (as always) with just the perfect, albeit eerie, illustration.
January 3, 2020
I read this for the "Story Takes Place On A Form Of Transportation" part of my 2020 reading challenge. It was funny and clever and beautiful and witty and everything one hopes from Gaiman.
March 29, 2022
Jeremiah was very attentive when I told him the title of this book.
After completion, he said, "I've had nightmares about this."
I think that's a success.
After completion, he said, "I've had nightmares about this."
I think that's a success.
May 1, 2015
In general, I love Neil Gaiman's writings and stories, but as a (fairly liberal) mom, I would not read this book to the young children it's been packaged & marketed to (despite the "Ages 5 & Up" note on the inside front flap of the dust jacket: see further comments below). This is best for 9 or 10+ aged crowd; teenagers, grown-ups and Gaiman fans-- If a young person is old enough psychologically and emotionally to begin to learn about evil, abuse, corruption, slavery, etc., and especially if s/he enjoys dystopian tales (as my son did beginning about in the 5th grade), then this is a really interesting book to read & discover together. Or to hear the child's thoughts about.
Being myself familiar with the dark and difficult side of life, even as a young child, it's my conclusion that two-way discussion (with the child) of whatever media or experience a child or young person is exposed to or has is a good thing. However, my personal philosophy is that young children (abt 5 & younger, those you'd be reading this type of alphabet-rhyme-picture book to and with) need to be sheltered from the crippling fears, problems, and anxieties the world causes in all of our sensitive souls as we journey through life, lest they be deprived of proper psychological and spiritual nourishment and grow up mentally weak, confused, and overwhelmed, unprepared to face adult challenges with the strength of direct, clear communication for the first 7-9 yrs of life about right, wrong, good, evil, human error vs. mal-intent & peace-making/getting along with others; fairness.
Also, as a poet & writer, the rhymes (while they work great in a fictional setting with fictional readers to develop the character of the narrative/narrator) are not the best for teaching the alphabet to pre-school age children, and may potentially confuse them about the alphabet (Disclaimer on the first page noted regarding idiosyncrasies that are indeed 'part of the art'). The theme is far too complex for such young minds to yet understand. In fact, although the inside dust jacket flap of my hardbound edition (not sure if it's out in PB) says "Ages 5 and up" in the upper right hand corner, few who pick up this book are going to see that as anything but a prescription for an ideal reader; I doubt any would be concerned that the theme and content may be inappropriate for children under 5.
The fact is, a parent would pick up this book thinking to read it to a preschool age child; a 9 or 10 year old, who could begin to comprehend it's complexity and moral themes, would most often avoid any alphabet-picture book, because children's concerns at that age are very different, and they want to leave behind their former state of immaturity and get into more advanced forms of social and fantasy play.
Would a teen pick it up and read it, analyze, and discuss it? Not likely, unless their goth parents are shoving it down their throat, because they'd rather be reading novels & getting into some classics (if they're of a literary bent, as my teenage son is), and/or writing such novels, short stories, poems.
I think this book is awkward in it's current format, which is a terrible bummer, because I think Gaiman is a GREAT storyteller & poet. However, this needs to be developed for an adult audience, and illustrated thusly, without condescending to the marketing demands of a publisher or preconceived genre aka marketing demographic. As soon as I see THAT version, made to intoxicate us grown ups with the validating clarity of 20/20 hindsight about our own dysfunctional childhoods, I can't wait to give it five stars. To explore childhood and metaphor and poetry all over again with Gaiman's guiding and adventuresome hand is a grand proposition; I only wish large publishers would open their minds and pockets to new forms / genres of creative work.
Being myself familiar with the dark and difficult side of life, even as a young child, it's my conclusion that two-way discussion (with the child) of whatever media or experience a child or young person is exposed to or has is a good thing. However, my personal philosophy is that young children (abt 5 & younger, those you'd be reading this type of alphabet-rhyme-picture book to and with) need to be sheltered from the crippling fears, problems, and anxieties the world causes in all of our sensitive souls as we journey through life, lest they be deprived of proper psychological and spiritual nourishment and grow up mentally weak, confused, and overwhelmed, unprepared to face adult challenges with the strength of direct, clear communication for the first 7-9 yrs of life about right, wrong, good, evil, human error vs. mal-intent & peace-making/getting along with others; fairness.
Also, as a poet & writer, the rhymes (while they work great in a fictional setting with fictional readers to develop the character of the narrative/narrator) are not the best for teaching the alphabet to pre-school age children, and may potentially confuse them about the alphabet (Disclaimer on the first page noted regarding idiosyncrasies that are indeed 'part of the art'). The theme is far too complex for such young minds to yet understand. In fact, although the inside dust jacket flap of my hardbound edition (not sure if it's out in PB) says "Ages 5 and up" in the upper right hand corner, few who pick up this book are going to see that as anything but a prescription for an ideal reader; I doubt any would be concerned that the theme and content may be inappropriate for children under 5.
The fact is, a parent would pick up this book thinking to read it to a preschool age child; a 9 or 10 year old, who could begin to comprehend it's complexity and moral themes, would most often avoid any alphabet-picture book, because children's concerns at that age are very different, and they want to leave behind their former state of immaturity and get into more advanced forms of social and fantasy play.
Would a teen pick it up and read it, analyze, and discuss it? Not likely, unless their goth parents are shoving it down their throat, because they'd rather be reading novels & getting into some classics (if they're of a literary bent, as my teenage son is), and/or writing such novels, short stories, poems.
I think this book is awkward in it's current format, which is a terrible bummer, because I think Gaiman is a GREAT storyteller & poet. However, this needs to be developed for an adult audience, and illustrated thusly, without condescending to the marketing demands of a publisher or preconceived genre aka marketing demographic. As soon as I see THAT version, made to intoxicate us grown ups with the validating clarity of 20/20 hindsight about our own dysfunctional childhoods, I can't wait to give it five stars. To explore childhood and metaphor and poetry all over again with Gaiman's guiding and adventuresome hand is a grand proposition; I only wish large publishers would open their minds and pockets to new forms / genres of creative work.
October 13, 2013
This is a pretty fun book about two children and their pet gazelle who go on an adventure in pirate and monster infested tunnels below the city. Each page has another 2 encounters, told in ABCs. Many of the things they meet, and accompanying illustrations, are rather eerie, but not too much for a child to handle.
Gaiman's prose is excellent, and the quality of the art is very good. What turns me off on this book is the content of the art. A short way into the book the girl is kidnapped by the pirates, and has to be passively rescued by the boy. This really rubbed me the wrong way, especially when associated with an author as original and progressive as Neil Gaiman. Why? Why does the boy do everything and the girl does NOTHING? Am I being overly feminist and hippie? Let me counter that by saying - my wife and I will have a daughter soon, and I believe that reading a book together with her, wherein a boy saves the day and a girl is just along for the ride, will be more boring than reading the ingredients on a cereal box. As a man I'm just annoyed, if I were a girl I would throw the book out the window.
One other thing that bothers me is that throughout the book many other children are shown as captives of the pirates and monsters. In the end the two children escape alone, leaving all the other kids to their fates. A creepy children's book is okay with me, but this is just dark and dismal. Again, the writing is good, and the artist is talented, but the story the art tells has got to go.
Gaiman's prose is excellent, and the quality of the art is very good. What turns me off on this book is the content of the art. A short way into the book the girl is kidnapped by the pirates, and has to be passively rescued by the boy. This really rubbed me the wrong way, especially when associated with an author as original and progressive as Neil Gaiman. Why? Why does the boy do everything and the girl does NOTHING? Am I being overly feminist and hippie? Let me counter that by saying - my wife and I will have a daughter soon, and I believe that reading a book together with her, wherein a boy saves the day and a girl is just along for the ride, will be more boring than reading the ingredients on a cereal box. As a man I'm just annoyed, if I were a girl I would throw the book out the window.
One other thing that bothers me is that throughout the book many other children are shown as captives of the pirates and monsters. In the end the two children escape alone, leaving all the other kids to their fates. A creepy children's book is okay with me, but this is just dark and dismal. Again, the writing is good, and the artist is talented, but the story the art tells has got to go.
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