Hachette ISBN: 9781408351727 £6.99
I cannot help but feel that another rewriting of A Christmas Carol is a rather ambitious project both in terms of committing absolute heresy towards what most would see as an undisputed ‘classic’ but also in that it has been done so many times before. It was hence with some reservations that I opened this book. Mitton re-presents the tale in largely skilful prose with Redman’s often eerie illustrations providing an effective backdrop. These illustrations work particularly well in that as the story unfolds so light begins to enter the pictures and it is this detail that brought Mitton’s retelling alive for me. The first glimpse of light we see is as Scrooge blows out his candle on Christmas Eve and then – as the ghost of Christmas past appears – the following page is lit up in a yellow glow. Light and colour continue to be used as the story unfolds and it is Redman’s unconventional illustrations that held my attention rather than Mitton’s at times rather ‘clunky’ prose. Nevertheless, this retelling will work well as a read aloud for Christmas in both KS1 and KS2 and adults and children alike will be absorbed in the compelling illustrations.
Laura Manison Shore