Instructions

By Neil Gaiman
Illustrated by Charles Vess

Instructions is a new book by Neil Gaiman. Originally just a poem, this story gives the wandering traveler instructions (hence the title) about how to survive a fairy tale. According to his blog, it became a picture book at the request of a friend. I really enjoyed this book because it captures a lot of universal themes that appear repeatedly in other "fairy tales." Also, putting this poem in the form of instructions places the reader directly into the story - the instructions are being given to you, as you read it. The instructions are specific enough to create strong mental images, but vague enough that we are left to imagine most of the finer details of this particular fairy tale: Where am I going? Why am I going there? Will I succeed in my quest? Receiving these instructions invokes the feeling that I am only at the very beginning of my journey, with an infinite number of possibilities that lie ahead.

Much like many other of his books, Instructions is not "just" a children's book - it is a book for readers of all ages, and offers themes and beautiful artwork that are just as appealing to adults as to children. But don't just take my word for it - the "book trailer" is available free on youtube, courtesy of Harper Kids.