In the wood . . .

. . . there was a dark, dark house.


Picture Books 3

A Dark, Dark Tale: Ruth Brown

This has been, and still is, a favourite in our house. It’s a simple tale, but with the most atmospheric illustrations. Each page is a piece of art in its own right, beautifully painted by an artist. Children and adults love the pictures and respond to them. There is always something to find – look large and you will suddenly see the owl staring at you. You may find rabbits and a bat. Shadowy creatures are watching you . . . ! Our children can find the cat and they know where it is going. Turning the page is exciting, as the suspense gradually builds, until there is a surprise at the end.

In the best picture books the illustrations are an integral part of the story – they tell as much, if not more, of the story as do the words. And the illustrations leave themselves open to interpretation. This interaction of words and pictures really hands the story over to the reader. He or she reads or hears the words, but then adds the detail by absorbing the picture; becomes a part of the story themselves. This is how the best picture books work.

A Dark, Dark Tale was first published in 1981. It is a timeless book to span generations.