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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to really dislike it when picture books are just wrong?

445 replies

mousyfledermaus · 18/10/2011 21:44

for example "a squash and a squeeze" the house from the outside does not match (windows/doors) the inside.
not to mention funny proportions.

OP posts:
Proudnscary · 18/10/2011 21:46

Are you an architect or a wee bit OCD? Either way, an interesting OP

TethHearseEnd · 18/10/2011 21:48

Have you seen In The Night Garden yet?

mousyfledermaus · 18/10/2011 21:48

when you have to read the books everyday at least 10 times a day for a fortnight only swap for the next favourite...

OP posts:
MurderBloodstabsandgore · 18/10/2011 21:49

for god's sake don't watch In The Night Garden.

BoattoBolivia · 18/10/2011 21:51

Have you seen 'the grumpalump'? The gnu blows into a hot air balloon and then sails away in it! What has he got, flame breath!!? Yanbu.

Seabright · 18/10/2011 21:53

I am still annoyed by "Look There's A Baby" with it's "Surprise Mirror Ending"

Nooooooooooo! Either it has a surprise ending, or a mirror ending; it can't have both.

And breathe

Proudnscary · 18/10/2011 21:58

Actually (slightly off topic) it does annoy me now that everyone's jumped on the 'higgledy piggledy writing all around and upside down the page in a quirky modern stylee' Lauren Child wagon. I spend my life turning books upside down, squinting and reading like a 5 year old.

MurderBloodstabsandgore · 18/10/2011 22:00

seabright what? My baby can't read the cover! For the first time at least, the mirror was a surprise. [hgrin]

mousyfledermaus · 18/10/2011 22:02

that is just so wrong as well.
and chosing typos that are difficult to read (well the first few times) when the book is held by a bouncy toddler.

OP posts:
Proudnscary · 18/10/2011 22:09

Yes really all books should have straight lines, Times Roman or Helvetica typeface which adults are used to deciphering with ease and correctly scaled pictures.

EcoLady · 18/10/2011 22:12

It winds me up that the butterfly's wings are upside down at the end of the Very Hungry Caterpillar.

AblativeAbsolute · 18/10/2011 22:13

God, YAsoNBU. Hate hate hate typos or other mistakes in books. So many kids' books are unbelievably badly written (though I have to admit I would forgive Julia Donaldson almost anything - I've never noticed the architectural problems with A Squash and a Squeeze before, but I will now, curse you OP!). My current irritation is The Very Busy Spider with its 'pesty' fly - pesky, surely??!! It's DS2's favourite book at the moment, so I have to look at it about ten times a day.

mumofthreekids · 18/10/2011 22:14

Have you read Meg's Veg, anyone? Huge gaping hole in the plot!

Proudnscary · 18/10/2011 22:14
aldiwhore · 18/10/2011 22:15

I'd have once said you're a bit obsessive and pedantic, but when you've read the same book over and over and over again you see the flaws.

In StickMan, towards the last page where Santa comes down the chimney, his GREEN glove is in a scary claw shape.. it really annoys me, the picture is scary and it sullys santa!! Outrageous!!! [hgrin]

We have to skip that page. Grrr. Annoys me every single bloody time.

BertieBotts · 18/10/2011 22:16

The surprise mirror ending is a surprise, though. The "mirror" is wonky and makes you look all blobulous.

BertieBotts · 18/10/2011 22:17

I've never read Meg's Veg but did do a double take as I thought you had typed "Meg's Vag" Shock

Panzee · 18/10/2011 22:18

As a teacher, I like picture books with fonts that are easy to read upside down. :)

onefatcat · 18/10/2011 22:18

...and the butterfly must actually be moth because butterfly caterpillars make a chrysalis not a coccoon.

mumofthreekids · 18/10/2011 22:19

Bertie :o

Proudnscary · 18/10/2011 22:19

Ooh not noticed that re StickMan. Will have a look.

Love all the Alex Thingy, Julia Whatsername books

bringmemoonshine2011 · 18/10/2011 22:19

DS1 has a picture book that spell 'through' 'thru' aggrrah.

CrystalQueen · 18/10/2011 22:22

Another vote against the upside down butterfly wings. Aaargh. Currently resisting the temptation to sneak into DD's room to check out scary claw Santa in Stick Man.

grumpypants · 18/10/2011 22:22

Yes, santa in stick man is terrifying.

MamaMaiasaura · 18/10/2011 22:23

Thanks OP for thread SmileSmile

Aldiwhore - so That's why ds2 doesn't like that page.

The ladybird that said never a word - meant to have a ladybird on every page, but the opening cover and closing page doesn't. We end up talking about the types of poo piles on those pages instead

Hungry caterpillar - it is not a fecking cocoon it's a chrysalis. Annoys me every time.

I'm sure I'll post on here some more as ds2 is book obsessed Grin

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