Who Knows the Way to Mr Grimly's Classroom? by Chris Priestley

When I first saw this one, I thought that it'd be a great read for the upcoming school year....then, I read the blurb and was very intrigued. Fogged-up playgrounds and ziplines and a hint of fantasy? Obviously, this isn't a normal situation. So, let's open this one up and see what it's really about.

WHO KNOWS THE WAY TO MR GRIMLY'S CLASSROOM?

by Chris Priestley

Illustrated by Mariachiara Di Giorgio

Candlewick Press

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING AUGUST 4th!!!

From an award-winning author and the masterful illustrator of The Midnight Fair comes a tale for anyone who has ever gotten lost in an unfamiliar place—or is drawn to gothic worlds.

When Miss Flytrap asks if anyone knows the way to Mr. Grimly’s classroom, Grace’s hand flies up—she can’t help herself, even though she’s a new kid in school and has no idea where to go. Nonetheless, with a book to deliver proudly in hand, Grace sets off on a long, strange journey through a very odd place, full of twists, turns, and creepy characters who give puzzling directions. Climbing dark, cobwebby staircases, feeling her way through a fogged-up playground, careening by zipline from the top of a treacherous tower right into a kitchen window—will she ever find Mr. Grimly’s classroom? With equal parts suspense and humor, author Chris Priestley leads an unsettling school tour for the ages, while Mariachiara Di Giorgio’s atmospheric, immersive illustrations beckon readers on with mesmerizing visual riddles.

GOODREADS    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

This is a book to get lost in for those readers, who love to twist reality just enough to open up a realm of unexpected possibilities.

Grace has only been in the new school for a week or so but has the habit of always raising her hand right away. When her teacher asks her to return a book to Mr. Grimly's classroom and wants to know who knows the way, Grace can't help herself but to volunteer immediately even though she has no clue how to get there. While she finds some school staff along the way to ask for directions, each one leads her to more unexpected paths. But Grace is determined to complete her task, no matter what.

This is a read, which lets fantasy leak through the cracks of reality to form a world of possibilities, oddities, and dreams. Grace comes across as normal as can be as does the opening, classroom scene. The imaginative elements start to seep in as Grace visits many hallways, staircases, and more as the scenes grow a little eerie. The characters she meets pack unique personality, which balances a fine border between familiar and strange. The school soon becomes so much more with fog, towers, and other aspects, and yet, everything stays close enough to reality to not quite step completely into imagination. In other words, it's a grabbing mix with surprises.

The illustrations are very well done and carry a large portion of the wonder. There's a slight sense of creepy but just enough to add tension as the more whimsical elements surprise. The gray tones add to this atmosphere to help the reader wonder if Grace will make it through or what she'll run into. The text creates a nice, read-aloud as there are pages with none, and then, pages with a couple of paragraphs. Even the heavier text pages aren't overwhelming, though, as the larger and well-spaced font makes it easy to read. Plus, it never weighs down but rather keeps the story going nicely and lets the reader sink into Grace and her adventure.

It's a read, which gives a timeless impression and is going to receive a possible place on my bookshelves.

And here they are...

Chris Priestley had been a successful illustrator, political cartoonist, and strip cartoonist for twenty years before publishing his first work of fiction for young readers. Among his novel credits are Still Water, Seven Ghosts, and Freeze, each evidence of the inspiration he finds in the gothic genre and in authors such as Edgar Allan Poe and Mary Shelley. He is best-known for his award-winning Tales of Terror series, illustrated by David Roberts, which has been translated into many languages and been performed as plays in several countries. Chris Priestley has also contributed an illustrated story to Hellboy: An Assortment of Horrors. He lives in Cambridge, England.

Mariachiara Di Giorgio studied illustration in Rome and Paris and worked as a storyboard artist and concept designer for movies and advertising agencies. Her picture books include Mr. Lepron’s Mystery Soup and Professional Crocodile, both by Giovanna Zoboli, and The Midnight Fair by Gideon Sterer, which won a Yoto Carnegie Shadowers’ Choice Award for Illustration and was named a Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year, a Booklist Editors’ Choice, and a Shelf Awareness Best Book of the Year. Mariachiara Di Giorgio lives in Rome.

Mr. Lepron's Mystery Soup by Giovanna Zoboli

Today's read gives 'story time' vibes and promises to draw in with beautiful illustrations. And who doesn't love a good soup? This one has already been a favorite since 2022 in Italy (and other countries) and comes from a popular, Italian kidlit author, but  it will be appearing for the first time in English the beginning of October.

MR. LEPRON'S MYSTERY SOUP

by Giovanna Zoboli

Illustrated by Mariachiara Di Giorgio

Candlewick Studio

Picture Book

48 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING OCTOBER 1st!!!

Stunning artwork from the acclaimed illustrator of The Midnight Fair illuminates a sweet cautionary tale about a rabbit whose fabled soup-making gets away from him.

Mr. Lepron is a rabbit who lives in a cozy burrow with many offspring. Every year on the first day of autumn, he reaps vegetables from the farmer’s garden—carrots, onions, celery, beans, aromatic herbs, and much more—and makes the best soup on earth, adored by his family. As it simmers, he dozes and dreams of being a famous cook, hosted by kings. And sure enough, his soup is so good that it starts drawing creatures from all over—until one day a factory springs up in the woods, with Mr. Lepron presiding day and night and soup cans for sale in all the most renowned shops. But as demand rises, Mr. Lepron’s dreams become fretful, and soon he starts hearing complaints: his soup is not as good as it was. Has his recipe changed—or has Mr. Lepron? How can he recapture the joy he once shared with his family? Mariachiara Di Giorgio’s exquisitely detailed artwork appears lit from within as it captures the pastoral setting, a range of expressive forest animals, Mr. Lepron’s fitful dreamscapes, and the palpable sense of peace as he rediscovers what truly matters.

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON    /     PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

With gorgeous illustrations, this is a meaningful tale with characters to adore.

Every year, Mr. Lepron cooks a soup with the many vegetables he's harvested from his garden. Then, he invites every neighbor and friend he knows to enjoy it with him. Everyone looks forward to the day, especially since Mr. Lepron's soup is the most delicious one around. Everyone always wants to know his secret, although he claims there isn't one. When others start coming from near and far to enjoy a bowl of his delicious soup, he decides to start up a factory to keep up with the demand. He even needs to start charging for each can to pay for everything. His soup is soon found on every store shelf and enjoyed by many...or maybe not. As his business grows, the soup no longer carries the same delicious flavor, and Mr. Lepron isn't sure why.

This is a read to snuggle down with for a story time. The text is a longer than usual picture books, although it still works great for the intended age group as a read-aloud. For those, who are sure of their words, it can be read alone. It carries a more traditional story flow, beginning with the wonders of Mr. Lepron's garden and it's lush vegetables before heading into the ever-growing crowd, who enjoys his soup. The plot moves along steadily as Mr. Lepron's success and then problems build one step at a time. The ending message brings a sense of family and community, and feels like a happy sigh.

The illustrations are gorgeous and make the book worth picking up just to flip through them and enjoy. The details draw in and offer something new to be discovered with each read. The mix of both animal characters and humans adds a nice touch, adding to the imaginative atmosphere. 

It's a delightful read with traditional charm, and carries a message which never loses its importance.