The Hole Story

by Paul Bright, Bruce Ingman (Illustrator)

Overview

When Hamish and Hermione Hole are chased out of the cheese where they live, they search the palace for a new place to call home. But the Holes cause havoc wherever they go—no one wants holes in their underwear, bike tire, or boat! Exhausted, the pair rest in a piece of wood, only to be discovered by the palace carpenter, who knows that holes can be really useful—especially when you are making beautiful musical instruments.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781512439731
Publisher:	Andersen Press USA
Publication date:	04/01/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	32
File size:	26 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	7 - 8 Years

About the Author

Paul Bright originally trained as an engineer—which is rather unusual for a children's author. He lives in the UK and his work has taken him all over the world.
Bruce Ingman studied illustration at the Royal College of Art, London. His first book, When Martha's Away, won a National Art Library Award. Since then he has produced a number of highly distinctive books.

Editorial Reviews

"This inventive story with fairy-tale flair would be a great pick for a silly storytime."—Booklist

From the Publisher

2017-01-17
A first step into the world of ontology, picture-book style! Two holes, Hamish and Hermione, try to find a new home when their Swiss cheese is eaten by mice. With nowhere now to live and wishing to be "useful," they leave the "dreary kitchen" of the royal palace to search for other meaningful locales. The king does not appreciate Hamish's new location on his sock. Hermione chooses the queen's knickers, and she is equally distressed. Remember, they are holes. Their choices spiral into a comedy of errors as bike tires deflate, boats sink, and balloons burst. "Everyone thinks we are a nuisance," says a frustrated yet confident Hamish. "But holes can be useful too." Ingman's hand-painted blotches of color show a surprising array of emotions with just two eyes and a mouth each, an occasional blushing cheek, and stick arms and legs. These two characters (portrayed as corporeal even though holes are defined as "nothing") change color to match their surroundings, like chameleons. They are most frequently portrayed running away, Gingerbread Man-style, from surprised royalty and castle staff, all white. Will they ever find a place to call home? What objects need holes? Bright's text deftly captures the quest for and fulfillment of true usefulness while allowing for more complex subtleties to percolate. A good choice for budding philosophers. (Picture book. 4-9)

Kirkus Reviews