Review: Down the Back of the Chair

Down the Back of the Chair

Written by Margaret Mahy

Illustrated by Polly Dunbar

Publication Date: 2006

Publisher: Frances Lincoln Children’s Books

ISBN: 976-1-84507-602-3

Summary/back cover:

When Dad loses his keys, toddler Mary suspects they are down the back of the chair. Join in the fun as the family search and find everything from a bandicoot and a bumble bee to a string of pearls and a lion with curls. But will it be enough to save the family from rack and ruin?

A sparkling verse story by Margaret Mahy, winner of the 2006 Hans Christian Andersen Medal for her outstanding contribution to children’s literature.

Let’s face it - Mahy is an icon of children’s literature, both in New Zealand and internationally, and with good reason. She writes great stories that children and adults adore. Down the Back of the Chair is no exception. The rhymes are clever, and the story is far-fetched and delightful. The illustrations by Polly Dunbar are bold and fantastic.

As a mother of twins, I was most pleased to find that twins featured in the story, in fact, Mahy’s dedication at the beginning is “To those twin rascals Julia and Biddy… I have often tried to find you down the back of the chair”.

To give you a taste of the story, here is my favourite passage:

“Oh, it seemed to grin as his hand went in

He felt tingling under his skin.

What will a troubled father win

From down the back of the chair?”

My rating:  4.5 out of 5

Review written by team_s