The Faraway Adventures of Henry Bogget Henry and The Great White Whale

LoveReading4Kids Says

As a result of its longer-than-usual text for a picture book format, Ollie Locke’s Henry and the Great White Whale bucks convention. The same applies to the age of its main character — at eight, Henry Bogget is older than most picture book protagonists, and his magical, globe-trotting adventure story will appeal to readers of 5+.

Suitable for reading aloud, thanks to its omniscient narrative voice, the story begins with an engaging set-up “on a dark, frosty night, many years ago in the depths of a cold English winter”. In this context, Henry is introduced as “an ordinary boy” with a long-kept “secret about magic in London”. Namely, London’s blue plaques serve as magical portals.

In this instance, the plaque dedicated to Herman Melville on a building opposite Henry’s bedroom transports him to the world of Moby Dick, where he voyages on the high seas with Captain Ahab and encounters the great whale before returning home to dream of his expedition before dawn breaks.

With the stage set for further adventures, and May Van Milligen’s illustrations enhancing the energy and atmosphere, Henry and the Great White Whale launches a series in adventurous, inventive style.

Joanne Owen

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