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Review: Door

This book’s beautiful illustrations and (wordless) story begin on the inside cover and continue right through to the back cover. Initially in shades of grey with only occasional splashes of colour, the book eventually erupts into a riot of colour and activity, with the central character slowly gaining colour as the story unfolds. One day a boy, alone in a drab world of unsmiling adults, finds a mysterious key on the ground. He is then led to an old, cobwebbed, padlocked door by an unusual, brightly coloured insect. After some thought, he decides to try the key in the lock. The door opens and he finds himself in a strange, colourful world, full of peculiar-looking creatures…

BooksforTopics Reading for Pleasure Recommendations

 

Book Title: Door (Available here)

Author/Illustrator: JiHyeon Lee

Publisher: Chronicle Kids

Publication Date: October 2018

Most Suitable for: Reception – Year 6!

Reviewed By: Caroline Waldron (@askyermother), Teaching Assistant & Librarian

 

This book’s beautiful illustrations and (wordless) story begin on the inside cover and continue right through to the back cover. Initially in shades of grey with only occasional splashes of colour, the book eventually erupts into a riot of colour and activity, with the central character slowly gaining colour as the story unfolds.

 

One day a boy, alone in a drab world of unsmiling adults, finds a mysterious key on the ground. He is then led to an old, cobwebbed, padlocked door by an unusual, brightly coloured insect. After some thought, he decides to try the key in the lock. The door opens and he finds himself in a strange, colourful world, full of peculiar-looking creatures.

 

After an initial unfortunate encounter, the boy finds the creatures are actually very friendly. He is soon enjoying picnics, games and eventually even a wedding with his new friends before returning back through the door.

 
 

This is a beautifully illustrated picture book about a child making new friends and having new experiences. It could be used from Foundation Stage right up to Year 6, opening up discussions about acceptance, tolerance and friendship.

 

The pictures would also make great writing stimuli for older children. The pages in which the boy discovers the door and spends time deciding whether to open it would be a great ‘What happens next?’ or ‘What would you do?’ writing/discussion activity. The ending would also make a good discussion focus – after the boy returns to his own world, what then? How might the boy be changed by his experiences and how might he, in turn, change things around him?

 

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You can order Door online or from your local bookshop or library.

 
 

Many thanks to the publisher for sending us a review copy of this book and to Caroline for reviewing it.

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