"The Minpins" was something of a departure for Roald Dahl when it first arrived back in 1992. It was to be his final published book, and originally published in a sumptuous picture book format, with divine illustrations by Patrick Benson.
Now the book has been rejiggled and hornswoggled a little bit, to produce an all new chapter book version with fab illustrations from none other than Sir Quentin Blake, long time friend and collaborator of Roald Dahl's, bringing the book more into line with the other stories we know and love in Roald's back catalogue of fabulous work.
We never quite got round to reading "The Minpins" in its original format, but we're happy to hear that both books will co-exist, so you will still be able to pick up both.
But let's dive into the chapter book version and find out all about Billy.
Billy is a fairly ordinary everyday boy. But Billy has a bit of a wandering spirit - and is always frustrated when his mum tells him NOT to venture beyond their garden, particularly not into the Deep Dark Woods behind the house.
Billy thinks about the woods a lot. One day curiosity gets the better of him, and despite all the horrible things his mum warns him about that may live in the woods (HORNSWOGGLERS! ARGH!) Billy ventures through the gate and finds an amazing other world full of darkness and foreboding.
Taking rest in a tree, Billy is amazed to see the tree's branch slowly opening in front of him. A tiny pair of shutters is opened, and out pops a tiny little head.
It belongs to one of the Minpins, mysterious wee folk who live in the forest. Billy befriends the Minpins, and is dazzled with delight at their methods of getting around. The Minpins are so small that they can ride on birds, using them like you or I would use our cars!
Billy joins in too, flying on the back of a beautiful swan. But soon his idyllic summer is shattered when the Minpins reveal the presence of a dark force in the Forest of Sin. A force that Billy will have to summon all his courage against, hopefully to once again restore the forest to peace and tranquility. The terrifying beast known as The Gruncher!!!
It's a hugely exciting story for little ones, and though it all feels like it's over way too quickly (the best stories are always like that though, right?) it's wonderful to have a new version to read that slots neatly in with Roald's other tales.
The new linework illustrations and covers from Quentin Blake are fantastic - as you'd expect. In all, it's a brilliant addition to any Roald Dahl fan's library, and a perfect way to celebrate the great man's birthday.
Charlotte's best bit: Riding on the back of birds! What a fabulous idea!
Daddy's favourite bit: Perfectly written children's stories are what we've come to expect from Roald Dahl and this doesn't disappoint. Particularly like the way the mysterious dark force is left entirely to a child's imagination, for them to conjure up what they think the menace is. Wonderful illustrations throughout from Quentin Blake and such a great idea to have both versions coexisting.
(kindly supplied for review)
"Billy and the Minpins" by Roald Dahl and Sir Quentin Blake is out now, published by Puffin Books.