Where's the best place to try out the most powerful torch there is? Kipper and Tiger decide that it must be in the middle of the woods at the bottom of Big Hill. But just what is that big animal with horns that they can see on the other side of the tent? Perhaps it would be safer to camp in Kipper's room?
Mick Inkpen is one of the most popular author/illustrators in the world. His books have sold over 4 million copies, and have been translated into over twenty different languages. His best-loved characters are probably Kipper and Wibbly Pig – who are both stars of their very own TV series!
He began his career as a graphic designer, and worked with another children’s author Nick Butterworth (of Percy the Park Keeper fame) on a cartoon strip for the Sunday Express. In 1989 The Blue Balloon was published to great acclaim, and established him as an important and original voice in children’s picture books. He and his wife, Debbie, also had children of their own by this point: “Without the experience of having children of my own I doubt that I would have been capable of writing effectively for children. And yet it’s true that good work really springs from trying to please yourself”
Mick lives in Essex with his wife and two children.
He began his career as a graphic designer, declining a place to study English at Cambridge University. During this period he worked with Nick Butterworth, a fellow children’s author, from whom he learned design and typography. Together they developed a cartoon strip for the Sunday Express magazine, later to become a first series of children’s picture books. They also worked in children’s television.
In 1989 The Blue Balloon established him as a truly original voice in children’s picture books, by which time Mick and his wife Debbie had two children of their own. “Without the experience of having children of my own I doubt that I would have been capable of writing effectively for children. And yet it’s true that good work really springs from trying to please yourself”
We love this book and the corresponding episode. Isaac always goes around saying “Do you think there are any bears in these woods?” I think I have the whole thing memorized by now.
Lovely illustration and would be a good book to use with children who are afraid of the dark. The story could also link to science with the animals and shadows.
Sophia seemed to enjoy this story. She liked how different Kipper and Tiger are, how they went camping together and what the 'monster' turned out to be!
All of the Kipper books (like the series) are excellently written. The images are simple for young eyes to capture the essential details and the text is a good size and simple to follow without being dumbed-down. Kipper stories are always fun, humorous, and they show Kipper to be a good friend who can laugh, but is not mean. I still love Kipper, even though my daughter has grown. He is curious and gentle. Thank you, Mick Inkpen!
This is a story of a dog named Kipper who ends up sleeping in the woods with his friend and they get scared but end up finding out that the thing they were scared of was a little snail.