Mrs Windyflax and the Pungapeople
by Barry Crump; ill. Murray Ball (Hodder Moa Beckett, 1995)
Though Crump’s rhyming verse and storyline aren’t up to much, Ball renders this children’s picture book visually resplendent through a mix of vibrant cartoon watercolours and his more usual Footrot Flats-type illustrations. The New Zealand landscapes offer a pleasing point of difference.
The Complete Peanuts: 1989-1990
by Charles M. Schulz (Fantagraphics, 2013)
With the change of decades, Schulz took an increasingly wistful eye to drawing Peanuts—particularly through Charlie Brown, who hankers back to days past and the simple pleasure of spending time with his dog. (Granted, he is also allowed a successful romance!)
Tintin and the Picaros
by Hergé (Methuen, 1976)
The most mature of Hergé’s Tintin adventures, Picaros is a neatly plotted political commentary on South American despotism, serious in tone and light on improbable escapades. Hergé remains committed to background detail but cuts back (perhaps too far) on the physical comedy.
Star Wars Holiday Special
dir. Steve Binder (1978)
Christmas programming is traditionally stultifying but there remains a whole generation of youngsters who never recovered from this feature-length Star Wars variety-show-cum-amateur-theatre-production fever dream. Unfathomable in conception, execrable in execution; just all-round unendurable (save the 10-minute Captain Kremmen-style animation introducing Boba Fett).
The Calvin and Hobbes Tenth Anniversary Book
by Bill Watterson (Andrews and McMeel, 1995)
A selection of daily strips and colourful Sunday comics featuring the irrepressible Calvin and his possibly imaginary tiger friend Hobbes. Watterson not only curates but also annotates, detailing his creative process and (frequently his misgivings about) the workings of syndicated comic publishing.
A Sudden Puff of Glittering Smoke and Other Stories; aka Genie, Genie, Genie
by Anne Fine (Mammoth, 1992); audiobook read by Nigel Planer (Bolinda, 2015)
Three stories involving middle-grade children and genies. Fine explores the culture and mythology of Ancient Persia, alongside notions of wish-fulfilment and consequence, perspective and empathy. The first tale is more entertaining and outstrips its two conceptual sequels in integrating the modern world.
The Bumper Book of Peanuts
by Charles M. Schulz; ed. Jenny Lord & Andy Miller (Canongate, 2015)
A 400-page hardcover collection. Schulz remains sublime but the editors’ selections are bewildering. Strips are grouped by category and, within this, seemingly at random or by arbitrary word-search. Dailies are plucked out of context from ongoing storylines. Some strips even appear twice.
The Usual Suspects
dir. Bryan Singer (1995)
A neo-noir heist film that rises far beyond its miniscule budget. Though rightly renowned for its twisty script and unreliable narration, the film succeeds equally on the strength of its performances. Kevin Spacey and Gabriel Byrne head a memorable cast of characters.
A Question of Proof
by Nicholas Blake (Harper and Brothers, 1935); audiobook read by Kris Dyer (Bolinda, 2015)
As much middling school story as murder mystery, the untangling of which rarely stirs the reader beyond mild interest. Poetry-quoting gentleman detective Nigel Strangeways elevates the story but makes his appearance late and lacks a sidekick to unpick his seemingly capricious actions.
The Little Broomstick
by Mary Stewart (Brockhampton, 1971)
Mary Stewart’s magical middle-grade adventure remains undiminished nearly fifty years after its first publication—less sweeping in scale than Harry Potter or the like, yet with tighter, more accomplished prose and a creeping story that stands independent of the need for sequels.