THE BOY WHO WALKED OFF THE PAGE

by Murray McCain ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 30, 1969

The Boy Who Walked Off the Page doesn't quite come across but it's an interesting try, the complementary stories of Benjamin (who's learning to read) and his favorite book (when he's able to read it). Ben's devotion to Jeremy Culpepper, Harlequin, his determination to read it for himself, his dismay when the book disappears from the library--all this is credible if occasionally strained. But the insistence on Jeremy ""coming to life,"" first via the story, then on the stage--as played by Ben in a class production--is too much strain; the illusion is destroyed and what's left is as blatant as the Library Week slogan ""Be What You Read."" Alvin Smith's illustrations, his first for a picture book, are rather weak in color but freshly conceived, especially in the Harlequin scenes.

Pub Date: April 30, 1969

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dutton

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1969

Categories: CHILDREN'S