Review: Pierre's Not There

Where does Ursula Dubosarsky get her inspiration? (Read the final pages of this book and she reveals the inspiration for this particular story.) This book has so many fun ideas woven into the fabric of its narrative. Adults will see clever references to Greek Mythology and the River Styx, children will recognise elements of Little Red Riding Hood and other familiar fairytale tropes.
But, all these clever allusions aside, Pierre’s Not There is a delightful story about Lara meeting a little boy named Pierre who has a lovely antique puppet theatre. Together Lara and Pierre embark on an adventure (is it imaginary?) to find Pierre’s grandmother. In this adventure Lara is transformed into a dog (or is she a wolf?). Children are going to be entranced by this story, which changes text from a simple narrative to a play script and back again.
This would make a wonderful read aloud book for home or the classroom. Highly recommended for ages 8 years and over.

• Review
• Ursula Dubosarsky