Wednesday 10 January 2018

"Where's Jane?: Find Jane Austen Hidden in Her Stories" by Rebecca Smith and Katy Dockrill (Ivy Kids)

First, there was "Where's Wally?" or "Waldo" if you're from the US. Then "Where's Will?" Now we've lost Jane too! Can you help us find her?
"Where's Jane" by Rebecca Smith and Katy Dockrill invites us into sumptuous balls, family gatherings at stately homes or into the swish and swirl of society as we soak up the heady atmosphere in Jane Austen's novels.

Can you find Jane Austen hidden in ten scenes from her beloved stories?

This beautiful new book introduces young children to Austen’s intriguing Georgian and Regency-era world, filled with all the makings of the best stories—sparky humor, legendary showdowns, secrets, love and triumph. 

Children spot the main characters in ten major scenes from Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Emma, Persuasion, Northanger Abbey, and Mansfield Park. 

First read a snappy synopsis of the story, then explore key stages through a simple, illustrated narrative as you meet the main characters. Next absorb the wonderfully detailed illustrations as you search for the characters and the elusive author in the big and bustling main artworks. 

Katy Dockrill creates the fun and engaging scenes that house Jane’s immortal characters, from imperious Lady Catherine to timid Fanny Price, wicked Mr Wickham to sensible Elinor Dashwood (who Daddy had a massive crush on as an impressionable youth - and still does a bit), and proud Mr Darcy to feisty Elizabeth Bennet. 

Getting to know them all will keep young readers enthralled for hours.

This was a fantastic way to introduce these characters to C, who now wants to read the real books for herself (luckily we have plenty of them tucked away at home for her to get cracking on). 

"Where's Jane?" by Rebecca Smith and Katy Dockrill is out now, published by Ivy Kids (kindly supplied for review).