I've told you before about how much we love Nicholas Allan's children's books here at The Madhouse. He has a deliciously naughty sense of humour that has the Madhouse Mini Testers squirming with mirth when they come across (very slightly) rude words and stories with such giggle-inducing names as The Queen's Knickers, The Giant's Loo Roll and Father Christmas Needs A Wee ! Well, just one look at the front cover of the latest Nicholas Allan book to join our collection this Christmas was all I needed to know it would get a very warm reception – it's called Cinderella's Bum (and Other Brilliant Bottoms) !
The first page shows a washing line with a selection of pairs of pants belonging to famous figures, such as Houdini, Queen Victoria and Snow White. Cue the first giggles. The opening line already got a laugh : « My big sister's always worried about her bum »! The Madhouse Mini-testers listened with glee to the tales of different sized bottoms and how useful they can be, especially the rewritten version of Cinderella which could have been so different if she'd lost her pants rather than her glass slipper !
They loved all the mentions of pants and bottoms and even farts, but I couldn't help but wonder if the concept behind the book wouldn't go straight over their heads. The big sister having a moment of self-doubt about her bum getting big is something that toddlers and pre-teens won't relate to at all (and thank goodness for that). Nicholas Allan's books always appeal to the grown-ups as much as the kids though, so maybe this is designed as a cheeky wink at the mums and big sisters reading the book at bedtime and grinning in self-recognition.
I've just been looking at the back cover and smiling to myself as I discovered even more of his books, this time definitely targetting the grown-ups with his irreverence and utter silliness : Where Willy Went (The Big Story of a Little Sperm), Jesus' Day Off, Heaven and Jesus' Christmas Party. He goes where nobody else dares to tread, delighting anyone with a naughty sense of humour, whatever their age !
star rating : 4.5/5
RRP : £5.99
- Paperback: 32 pages
- Publisher: Red Fox Picture Books; New Ed edition (5 Feb 2004)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0099438631
- ISBN-13: 978-0099438632
- Product Dimensions: 26.7 x 0.3 x 20.3 cm
Disclosure : We received a copy of the book in order to write an honest review.
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We borrowed this from the library and the kids loved it! We love Nicholas Allan books too - they are great!
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