Don't Ever Look Behind Door 32
The book’s characters are a fun cast that includes fairies, wizards, ghosts, and mermaids. Familiar fantastical beasts get fresh twists.
B. C. R. Fegan’s engaging picture book Don’t Ever Look Behind Door 32 is set in a hotel that is filled with magical creatures.
Two young children check into the Hotel Hoo. They are given a tour of all of the rooms and the monsters and magical guests who reside within. Their host Mr. Noo has but one request: that they never enter the room behind door number thirty-two.
As each new room is introduced, the warning about door thirty-two is repeated, building curiosity and even a bit of foreboding about what might be behind this mysterious door.
The book’s characters are a fun cast that includes such creatures as fairies, wizards, ghosts, and mermaids. Familiar fantastical beasts get fresh twists: there are small giants who just never grew and goblins who are also veterinarians. These unexpected adaptations add a great deal of amusement to the book and will appeal to both children and adults.
The story is told through easy, flowing rhymes that are clever and interesting. Notably, Fegan finds a number of words to comfortably rhyme with the number thirty-two.
Lenny Wen contributes appealing, full-color illustrations that depict the book’s silly scenarios well, such as knights changing light bulbs and monsters having tea. Characters are adorably rendered and expressive, showing a wide range of emotions. Both the images and the story will make the book a pleasure to read over and over again.
Don’t Ever Look Behind Door 32 is both enjoyable and educational. With thirty-one doors to explore, the book is sure to entertain young children while also reinforcing early counting skills.
Reviewed by
Catherine Thureson
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the publisher will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
