Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Will you read to me?
Picture Book
For ages 3 to 6
Simon and Schuster, 2007 ISBN: 1416909354
Hamlet is not your average sort of pig. Not only does he not like to get filthy, but he also likes to wear a clean shirt, and he loves to read stories and to write poetry. To say that his family is not supportive of his unusual brand of pigness is an understatement. They openly ridicule Hamlet, and they certainly won’t read to him when he asks them to. Nor will they listen to the poems he has written.
And so Hamlet wanders off to the pond where he recites his poetry to his moonlit reflection, to his “twin.” At least his reflection listens. But, when the moon is covered by a drifting cloud, Hamlet’s “twin” fades away and Hamlet is alone once again.
Anyone who loves the written word will feel an immediate sympathy and fondness for this literary pig, who wants so much to share his passion with someone. The author uses Hamlet to show his audience that, though it might be hard being different, a person can, given time, find others who appreciate ones uniqueness. Using both rhyming and non-rhyming poems and with his soft naturalistic illustrations providing a fitting backdrop for his story, Denys Cazet has created a splendid picture book.
