Home > Categories > Books > Kids - General > SAfe frOm HaRm review

A beautiful and inspiring gift book about childhood.
Aimed at adults and older children, this is a wise and wonderful book about the experience of being a child. It tells the deceptively simple story of a boy called Jack who ran away from home, setting out into the dark world alone. He found himself in a deep forest where a gang of monsters sat, eating fried hamster and having a chat.
Together they embarked on a magical journey of discovery... One that would open Jack's eyes to his parents real feelings. Alongside the story are inspirational sayings that add depth and insight giving an adult's view of the joys and pain of childhood.
Rollo Armstrong's group 'Dusted' is releasing a CD inspired by Safe From Harm to coincide with the book's release, which will feature Dido on vocals.
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The artworks in this book are fantastic - I start with the artwork because that is the most obvious place to start. Clear drawings that are expressive and are clearly part of the story rather than as an aside, as most art for books tend to be in the adult market.
The story itself is deceptively simple and can be read again and again and one can get more from it with each reading. I know I missed a number of points until I had a discussion with a counsellor to whom I had loaned this book to get some feedback from her. The book, although it looks like a childrens' book is anything but a childrens' book. It takes one on a journey of self discovery and as the final twist reveals - well, I won't say what the final twist is. It must be read.
Each page is annotated with quotes from various people, and although it does clearly say in the front of the book that all quotations are acknowledged at the back of the book, I would have preferred to see the acknowlegdement with the quotations, or at the very least, a clearer tabled list for all the quotations. It has taken me quite sometime to find the author of each quote. That niggle aside, the quotes really do nicely complement each page, verse and picture.
The book can be read and re-read in a few lazy minutes, but don't let that put you off buying it. Do but it. Do read it. You will not regret it.
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