Dickens: His Work and His World
By Michael Rosen
Published by Walker Books
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Children's Book review
After his retelling of Romeo and Juliet, Michael Rosen turns his attention to the consummate storyteller of nineteenth-century fiction, Charles Dickens. Rosen's tone is informal, informative and inviting and the book is divided into five chapters dealing with Dickens on tour, his life, Dickensian London and, most importantly, his fiction. Plot summaries are given for four of Dickens's best-loved novels: A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, David Copperfield and Great Expectations, with, particularly in the last, additional commentaries from Michael Rosen explaining character motivation and plot development. Beautifully produced and peopled with Dickens's own creations, which have been lovingly recreated by Robert Ingpen, together with a timeline and an index to characters, this would make a wonderful gift for an older child and an ideal introduction to Dickens.
Illustrator: Robert Ingpen
Reading age: 10+
Interest level: 8-12
