I get pretty excited when I see a trailer for a new Wes Anderson movie, like the upcoming Isle of Dogs. The main characters can be traveling brothers (The Darjeeling Limited) or coming-of-age campers (Moonrise Kingdom). The setting can be a submarine (The Life Aquatic) or a grandiose inn (The Grand Budapest Hotel). No matter the story, I know the film is sure to deliver... Style. Quirk. Musicality. Action. Humor.
The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)
Hello, Door - the latest picture book by Alastair Heim, illustrated by Alisa Coburn - arrived on my stoop just a few days after its Jan. 2 little bee books release - looking a lot like a hybrid of The Royal Tenebaums and Fantastic Mr. Fox...
So, I had a hunch that some Andersonian storytelling devices might be found within. At every twist and unexpected turn, Heim and Coburn (creators of another Schulte family fave Love You, Too) delivered what I hoped for, and then some:
Style
What could be more chic than a Georgian townhouse? Hello, Door is set in a two-story powder blue charmer. The order of the home's brick exterior and landscaping lets us know that the owners are well-to-do and meticulous. What a delightful stage for some disruptive and perfectly-styled mischief: Enter sly red fox in navy turtleneck, sporting up-to-no-good leather gloves.
Quirk
Soon the fox sets to work creeping and sneaking. But things don't go very smoothly for this criminal. He climbs into the window, only to SPLASH into the kitchen sink. And when he comes upon a delicious sandwich, he obviously can't pass it by. As the fox makes his way through the home, it's clear that his journey will be whimsically circuitous.
Musicality
The repetition and cadence of Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown is a familiar comfort to kids and parents alike. Hello, Door is a very different book, but in a similar fashion, Heim pulls readers through his tale with rhythmic two-word combos: Hello, door. Hello, house. Hello, mat. Hello, mouse. As we go deeper and deeper into the home - discovering valuables and oddities along the way - each rhyming "hello" pair memorably rings and sings.
Action
The thieving fox in Hello, Door starts somewhat on task, but before long he finds himself waaaaaay off course. Why? The townhouse is full of distracting treasures. Each hallway and suite reveals a new place to stomp and romp. As he tosses feather pillows, dons bathrobes and takes a swing at golf, the reader is all-too-aware that someone is dilly dallying. I won't reveal more here, but the action only picks up from here. (And it's beary exciting...)
Humor
Hello, Door is chockfull of amusing moments. A humorous highlight for our crew? The rhyme of "plants" and "Mr. Fancy Pants." The line lands EVERY TIME with my daughters, who count "pants" among the short list of words that sound like potty talk but won't put them in time out...
Further talk about this wonderful book would ruin the awesome ending. One way you can discover it for yourself? Win an *autographed* copy!
Alastair Heim (@alastairheim, featured in this 2017 Author Spotlight) is giving away a signed copy of Hello, Door to the winner of my weeklong Twitter contest. Here's how to enter:
*** WIN Hello, Door ***
Simply...
1. "Like" this post (click the heart below)
2. Follow me (@anitraschulte) on Twitter
3. Retweet my pinned contest tweet by EOD 2/2/18
(Submit a blog comment below and get a BONUS ENTRY!)
GOOD LUCK!