The French have the sort of children's book industry that we can only look on with enviable eyes. They see children's books as an art form in their own right, not bound by the usual formulaic rules and regs that we over here in the UK have to put up with.
Two of French kidlit's finest talents - Sylviane Donnio and Dorothee De Monfried collaborated on this brilliant book about a baby crocodile called Achilles who is getting a bit fed up with his parents' usual dishings up at the dinner table.
Achilles wants something more substantial to sink his tiny little teeth into. In fact Achilles, adorable as he is, wants to eat a child.
Despite Mum and Dad's gentle cajoling, Achilles goes on a self-inflicted hunger strike until he sees his opportunity to fulfil his hungry ambition. But the best laid plans of mice, men and tiny little crocodiles can often be thwarted by the smart little brains of children - and that's exactly what happens in this story.
It's the perfect example of an irreverent subject slowly building up to a surprise conclusion, and we\re a little bit sad the book got renamed. Why do folk do this? Who on earth could be offended by little Achilles?!
Original Review Link:
ReadItDaddy's Book of the Week, week ending Friday 15th February 2013 - "I Really Want To Eat A Child" by Sylviane Donnio and Dorothee De Monfried (Hodder Children's Books)