The kids are back to school and the weather is getting colder. It can only mean one thing, it’s time for snuggling, sweaters, and good books. It’s time for some suggestions from yours truly to keep the kids amused on those dark evenings. Read on to learn more about The Gift of Evil by Frank Hinks, and the secret land of Ramion.
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The Book
Ramion is a magical place where anything can happen and frequently does. The Gift of Evil tells how Griselda the witch turned to evil when she was a child. Number 19 in the Tales of Ramion, is the first in a prequel series that follows the witch Griselda from birth and written to be enjoyed independently of previous stories. Sir Tancred Grunch wants an heir, but not a baby. When he decides to let his granddaughter stay with her parents until the age of five, the Princess of the Night (source of evil) screams in fury. Stupid man! By the age of five, Griselda may be set in the path of good! The Princess sends birthday presents to ensure Griselda follows the path of evil.
Thoughts on the Book
This is not your average kid’s book. First of all, the pictures are not what you would normally see in a children’s picture book. The drawings that go with the story remind me of the Yellow Submarine video by The Beatles. The book is laid out in chapters so it gives the younger readers a confidence boost that they are reading a “bigger kid’s book”, even though it has pictures. And for the slightly more advanced reader, the pictures are a nice break from the norm. My 8-year-old son found the book to be very different from what he has been reading recently. He was able to read the book in two sittings after school but he could probably do it in one. He liked how the chapter layout allowed him to take a break from reading and enjoy the story over a few days.
Thoughts on the Author
By day, Frank Hinks is a prominent and well-respected Chancery QC based in London, with an international practice that includes Hong Kong, Cayman, Bermuda, BVI, and the Bahamas. Outside his highly successful legal practice, Frank has always had a passion for storytelling. The Ramion adventures were inspired by the bedtime stories he would create every night for his own children. Wife taught, not self-taught, Frank developed his abilities as an artist under the critical gaze of his wife Susan Haire, fine artist, President of the London Group (founded 1913) and inspiration for the witch Griselda. Frank has produced over 600 full-page gouache paintings for the Tales of Ramion series, assisted by his son Alexander (graduated Wimbledon College of Art with Vice-Chancellor’s Prize for best degree show). Frank works mainly in a small art studio off his room in Serle Court chambers in Lincoln’s Inn.
Overall
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. When I was asked to take part in the book tour, I was expecting an adult book to arrive. The Gift of Evil isn’t exactly the name I would picture for a children’s book. But it works. My son really enjoyed it, and the fact that it is part of a larger series is amazing. This could turn into the perfect alternative to boring bedtime reading. Bedtime reading is something that is recommended but hard to enforce if the book isn’t engaging. This could be the alternative story that you have been looking for to grow your own little reader.
