Author:Mark Haddon
Ben's in danger of spending his holidays cooped up in a caravan with his mad Aunt Gwen. But by luck (and bribery), he gets a place on the school trip to an outward-bound centre in Wales, along with Barney, Jenks and of course, Agent Z. Abseiling, orienteering, sinking enemy canoes and sabotaging toothpaste are all in a day's work for the Crane Grove Crew. But then they uncover a news clipping which reveals that their centre manager, the affectionately nicknamed 'Grenade-head', is in fact an escaped bank robber. He's planning to recover the buried loot any night now and Agent Z and the crew intend to be there when he does. If you think that sounds like a downright ridiculous plan, you'd be right. Especially as the escaped criminal story turns out to be the invention of the crew's new pal, Roz and for once, the joke's on them! Mark Haddon has a sharp understanding of what makes children tick, and they will delight in the ever more daring, ever more hilarious missions of Agent Z and his three creators.
Slipping effortlessly between reality and a rich fantasy world, this is breathless action from start to finish
—— GuardianThe enduring popularity of Hilaire Belloc's most famous Cautionary Tale combined with award-winner Mini Grey's lively and generous illustrations make this a true winner.
—— The BooksellerThe quality shines out on every page, blending the text and pictures seamlessly. The sight of Ponto looking bashfully over his shoulder as he sits by a dismembered leg is absolutely hilarious, and on the other side of the page, Jim's little head with Xs for eyes will strike a chord with every child who's ever pulled the head off a Lego man. It all sounds horribly violent, but in fact it's spot on, however sensitive or squeamish you and yours might be. Jim is the sort of book that you'll treasure for years to come.
—— The Book BagThere is a lot here to make reading this book over and over again a lot of fun. The poem is fun to read, and the pictures will last a long time. And if it can prevent any more boys being eaten by lions, then it will have done a good job.
—— Bookwitch...fabulously illustrated ...
—— Book Reviewer , Aldershot News and MailThe clever lift-the-pages format and pop-ups make it unmissable.
—— Angels and UrchinsThe talented Ms Grey peppers the pages with so many rules, byelaws and Instructions That Must Not On No Account Be Ignored that Jim's misdemeanor is obviously the result of poor parenting or even a 'lack of literacy'...Hate the sin but love the sinner - that's wot my Nanny used to say.
—— Tony West, Lion and Unicorn Bookshop , OldieAward-winning illustrator Mini Grey (named after the car she was born in....no really!) turns her inimitable hand to Hilaire's classic cautionary tale of Jim: who ran away from his nurse. And was eaten by a lion. Oh yes, this is our kind of story!
—— www.mumsrock.comHer treatment of the Victorian's verse is typically colourful, and the book is full of eye-catching illustrations and pop-ups.
—— Oxford Mail... re-imagined with all her customary flair, invention, wit and zest by the magnificent Mini.
—— Carousel...a picture book that not merely gives the original Belloc a new lease of life but also challenges its lucky readers as to what exactly a full "reading" of a picture book might involve.
—— Robert Dunbar , The Irish TimesMini Grey's dramatic paper-folding illustrations add an extra dimension to Belloc's original. Her fold-out plan of the zoo, complete with warnings and comments, is witty and charming while also standing as an incisive warning about a world in which health and safety has become a make-believe all of its own.
—— Julia Eccleshare , The GuardianHilaire Belloc's classic cautionary tale has been updated in a special new edition, illustrated by award-winner Mini Grey*, whose completely brilliant pictures depict Jim's tale with amazing detail. The fold out map of the zoo is like a mini book of it's own, there's so much in it!...My two-year-old also loves the picture of 'chocolate, with pink inside' and the part where the pop-up lion jumps out and starts nibbling on Jim's ankles. Yes - it doesn't leave much to the imagination!
The interactive pull out maps and flaps all help to make this a really enjoyable read and a real treat of a book.
'Jim' gets a very big thumbs up from us. Keep an eye out for this book - it would make a lovely gift and a great addition to your bookshelves.
Bringing the book to life is illustrator, Mini Grey, and she does an absolutely marvellous job...The quality is fantastic.
—— Tidy Books...Mini Grey has created a highly inventive illustrated edition of Jim, one of Hilaire Belloc's cautionary tales. ...This looks like the perfect gift for both kids and health-and-safety officers.
—— Nic Bottomley , Bath LifeThere's nothing like an old fashioned cautionary tale to upset lily-livered adults and enthral imaginative children - so Mini Grey's masterly treatment of disobedient Jim, who slipped his nurse's grasp and was eaten by a lion, should be an absolute winner with young ones. Distinctive illustrations, a pop-up snarling lion, lift-up flaps and some additional jokes do justice to Belloc's classic castic poem. A dark delight.
—— Sally Morris , The Daily Mail...the cautionary tale of the wayward boy - has been given an engaging pop-up makeover by Mini Grey.
—— TelegraphThe appeal of Hilaire Belloc's Cautionary Tales endures, and Mini Grey's illustrated Jim Who Ran away from His Nurse and Was Eaten by a Lion embellishes this dark, satirical gem with visual and verbal playfulness, including flaps and fold-out maps...Grey celebrates Belloc's wit while adding a new layer of meaning. A delight, and an incentive to read more of the same.
—— Nicolette Jones , The Sunday TimesGood clear text with well designed pull-out pages and pop-ups.
—— Round and AboutBrought to life in magnificent style through Mini Grey's illustrations, the pop-ups, flaps, fold-outs and added extras provide a joyous celebration of bad behaviour.
—— Sunday HeraldDistinctive illustrations, a pop-up snarling lion, lift-up flaps and some additional jokes do justice to Belloc's classic caustic poem. A dark delight.
—— The Daily Mail , The Daily MailYou would not have thought it possible to improve upon Hilaire Belloc's cautionary tale of Jim but it lends itself beautifully to Mini Grey's insouciant illustration style. Pop-ups and gatefolds complement the rhythm and comic timing, making Belloc's timeless and deadpan humour accessible to even the youngest child.
—— Dinah Hall , The Sunday Telegraph...wickedly funny...
—— Mary James , Country LifeIt's a thrilling book to read, with pop-ups, pull-puts and a full fold-out retro zoo map with funny signs in the elephant enclosure like "no trumpeting" and "no stampedes." An absorbing read that will have your child holding on to your hand tightly - to avoid the lions.
—— JuniorA traditional tale of Jim who was eaten by lion because he ran away from Nurse, is brilliantly reinterpreted by Mini Grey.
—— Blackbird Pie...sublime...
—— Maggie Hartford , Oxford TimesThere are also some old favourites which are well illustrated in new versions with all the lavish flaps and bright colours now expected. Jim, one of Hilaire Belloc's Cautionary Tales, has been printed without the grisly wording being changed (although some rather good health and safety notices for the zoo have been added.)
—— Daily MailThis is a hard backed, nice quality, beautifully illustrated book, filled with imaginative pop-ups, interesting flaps and lots of imaginative and engaging detail.
—— Dulwich Mum...a thrilling book to read...
—— Junior Book Club , JuniorJim's wonderfully wicked tale is certainly a breath of fresh air and a timely reminder of how children's books used to be before political correctness took over.
—— Andy Howells , South Wales Argus