Buy the hardback from Amazon UK
Junior
Hodder Children's Books
Hardback £7.99, ISBN: 0340873779
Paperback £3.99, ISBN: 0340866063
Reviewed by Stella Barnes
[Armadillo 5.1 Spring 2003]
Doctor Quack begins with Benedick trying to sell colourful potions in the town square. He has been cruelly tricked, and is trying to restore his fortunes, but ends up in the king's dungeons. Quick-wittedness and charm save him, and win him the hand of the royal princess. A fairy tale theme and characters, but spiced with wit and narrated with skill. Use of pattern and colour is particularly delightful. - Benedick holds the blue bottle 'like a blue lark's egg, like a handful of sapphires.' Past and present events are skilfully interwoven and brought to a satisfying conclusion. And there is still a final surprise: 'People have a right not to be wronged,' says Princess Clematis as she reveals what she has seen from her window.
Large print, short chapters, and black and white illustrations throughout give an easy-read look, but there is no paring down of vocabulary.
Buy the hardback from Amazon UK