The Dangerous Alphabet | Neil Gaiman

The Dangerous Alphabet | Neil Gaiman | Another Gaiman hit!

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The Dangerous Alph...

	The Dangerous Alphabet Neil Gaiman HarperCollins, 2008 - 32 pages average customer review:based on 11 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

A is for Always, that's where we embark . . .

Two children, treasure map in hand, and their pet gazelle sneak past their father, out of their house, and into a world beneath the city, where monsters and pirates roam.

Will they find the treasure? Will they make it out alive?

The Dangerous Alphabet is a tale of adventure, piracy, danger, and heroism told in twenty-six alphabetical lines?although even the alphabet is not to be relied upon here. A delightfully dangerous journey from national bestselling author Neil Gaiman and the monstrously talented Gris Grimly, The Dangerous Alphabet is sure to captivate and chill young readers.

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very entertaining

Pretty much everything Neil Gaiman does is brilliant, and I'm new to the work of Gris Grimly but was very impressed by his art in this book. I thought the story that was told through the couplets and accompnying pictures was very fun and whimsical, and I greatly enjoyed it. I have to agree with some of the other reviewers that it may be a little too scary for young readers, but for me it was great.

Another Gaiman hit!

This book is great. I can't wait to have kids and share the joy that is this book with them! There is so much going on in the pictures, you feel as though they are moving. The illustrations come to life in this simple, dark, childrens's story.

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Not bad, but not great either.

This picture book, written by Neil Gaiman of Sandman fame and illustrated by Gris Grimly, is very different from the other picture books in that it's terribly short and there's not as much words. It's basically a flowing poem that's derived from the english alphabet, and to give Neil credit, it's a reasonably good poem too; it's very flowing and very whimsical and very funny in a dark way. I found myself amused at the beautiful images Gris came up with to accompany the words. But to be honest, picture book or not, there's not much story here and you will find yourself wanting more. It's obviously due to the concept of using the alphabet to tell the story getting above the story itself.

Gris Grimly did a wonderful job with it though, so if you want to get this book, get it for his art.

I think Neil never intended this to be a children's book but you may get this for your child if he or she's at least watched cartoons where similar themes have been shown, because although the story's quite light and funny for young adults and teenagers, it may scare 5-10 years olds.

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Not his best, but still a blast

This is not for the age group an alphabet book would be aimed at. It is for slightly older kids, say those who can handle "A Nightmare Before Christmas", and off center adults. A fun Gaiman romp, but also a bit overpriced. Cashing in time, I'm afraid. In the past this may have been a DC comic or trade paperback (like Stardust originally was) but now you have to shell out for the hardback.

Holds great appeal for all ages

"The Dangerous Alphabet" is told in twenty-six alphabetical lines which comprise thirteen couplets. The story revolves around two young children, a boy and a girl, and their pet gazelle who on finding a treasure map strike out to find the treasure. Along the journey, they meet all kinds of nasty monsters and evil pirates who stand between them and the loot. When the girl is eventually captured, it's up to our young hero to save her. Will he find her in time, and will they uncover the treasure?

Considering he is writing in couplets that are to appeal to children, Gaiman does remarkably well in being creative and staying away from the "groan" factor. (The physical phenomenon in which a rhyme is so egregious you are forced to groan in disgust. I'd give an example, but I prefer to live without the resulting mail bombs.) But "The Dangerous Alphabet" truly lives and dies on the quality of its artwork. And Gris Grimly does an outstanding job here. Grimly's artwork is wonderfully stylistic and interesting, capturing a highly original look and feel and rendering it beautifully.

Last Word:
"The Dangerous Alphabet" should definitely appeal to young children, particularly children just learning the alphabet. While the story is not surprisingly simple in form, the amazing artwork should appeal to children of all ages.

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3

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