Dickens: His Work and His World

by
Michael Rosen
Illustrated by Robert Ingpen

After his retelling of Romeo and Juliet, Michael Rosen turns his attention to the consummate storyteller of 19th-century fiction, Charles Dickens.

Rosen's tone is informal, informative and inviting and the book is divided into five chapters dealing with Dickens on tour, his life, Dickensian London and, most importantly, his fiction.

Plot summaries are given for four of Dickens's best-loved novels: A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, David Copperfield and Great Expectations, with, particularly in the last, additional commentaries from Michael Rosen explaining character motivation and plot development.

Beautifully produced and peopled with Dickens's own creations, which have been lovingly recreated by Robert Ingpen, together with a timeline and an index to characters, this would make a wonderful gift for an older child and an ideal introduction to Dickens.

Publisher: Walker Books

Michael Rosen

Children's Laureate 2007-2009

Michael Rosen is one of the best-known figures not only in the children's book world but also the British arts scene. His first book of children's poems was published in 1974, and he has gone on to write numerous award winning children's poetry books, picture books and non-fiction, such as Quick, Let's Get Out of Here and We're Going on a Bear Hunt.

Alongside this he performs, teaches, lectures, presents Word of Mouth on Radio 4 and reviews books for the Guardian. In 2007, Michael was appointed the fifth Children's Laureate - a role which he says will be used to be an 'ambassador of fun'.

http://www.michaelrosen.co.uk/

Michael Rosen