Review
Pure delight. -- Carousel On David's previous books: 'It's funny and original and an absolute delight to read aloud - a perfect bedtime read.' -- THE PARENT'S GUIDE An ideal bedtime book ... This delightful tale is a true charmer ... Melling's witty illustrations are packed with imaginative detail, including the masterly touch of a delicate golden line tracing the swerling path of the kiss. -- The Scotsman 20021207 'Full of unexpected twists and turns The Kiss That Missed is a wonderful literary example of how to temper fearsome episdoes with humour. ... this story is one which will demand endless rereading.' -- writeaway.org.uk 20021207
Readers may barely notice the plot here for the glorious chaos in the pictures. Fed up at last when the Scallywags, a big and wildly rambunctious family of wolves, tumble in to ruin a group photo, a sedate community of animals gives them the cold shoulder. Happily, the ostracism turns out to be only temporary. At least mildly repentant, the Scallywags characteristically overdo efforts to clean up their act, and turn into obnoxious prigs - whereupon everyone is happy to see them revert to form as soon as the full moon appears. Melling keeps every figure busy in his populous rustic settings, rewarding close examination with hilarious glimpses of hyperactive wolves learning new, sometimes gross, uses for a toothbrush, clothing, cologne and other tokens of gentility in between scenes filled with flying food and bodies. Closing with a helter-skelter picnic and a messy gathering for another try at a photo, this quick and crazy woodland episode will have children howling for repeats. (Picture book. 6-8) (Kirkus Reviews)
Product Description
The Scallywags are a bunch of rather messy noisy wolves who find it rather hard to behave properly. But as they soon discover, if it means losing your friends, then just maybe it's time to practise those manners...
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