Alan's Big, Scary Teeth

Description

The Winner of the 2017 V&A Best Illustrated Book Award An alligator who snaps, becomes an alligator who th-naps in this hilarious, heart-warming story of making new friends and discovering who you really are. Meet Alan, an alligator with a secret. Famed for his big, scary teeth, he sneaks into the jungle every day to scare the jungle animals ... "I'm big, scary Alan! Fear my razor-sharp teeth!" But after a long day of scaring, Alan likes nothing better than to run a warm mud bath and take out his false teeth, which nobody knows about! That is, until his teeth go missing. What will Alan do now? Scaring is the only thing he knows how to do! Can he still be scary without them? A goofy comedy of self-discovery, witty, warm-hearted storytelling and bright graphic art will make this (and Alan!) a firm children's book favourite.

Jarvis studied graphic design and previously worked as both a record sleeve designer and an animation director before becoming a children's book illustrator. Alan's Big Scary Teeth is his debut title with Walker. About his picture book inspiration, Jarvis says, "The way I work is always visual. I will have an image or character in mind and I pull a story out of it. I doodle and doodle and doodle until I get it right." Jarvis lives in Manchester with his girlfriend and their cat. Find him on Twitter as @heyimjarvis.

A riotous jungle romp about a crocodile with an embarrassing secret. It's great fun. -- Fiona Noble * The Bookseller * Alan's Big, Scary Teeth is a hilarious, heart-warming story of making new friends and discovering who you really are. * The Bookseller * A jungly jaunt that's sure to bring Alan-sized smiles to the faces of listeners (not to mention the occasional adult reader aloud) and I love those vibrant, energetic scenes and some of the small details are real giggle-inducers. * Red Reading Hub * A heart-warming journey of self-discovery, coupled with witticism and original artwork. * Picture Books Blogger * Jarvis' brilliantly humorous writing and illustrations make Alan's Big Scary Teeth an instant hit with tiddlers, and yep even cynical tweenies will still giggle when Alan appears on the Savannah, ready to savage everyone with his gummy grin! Truly excellent! * Read It, Daddy! * A dark tropical palette and a variety of paint and pencil techniques make this book busy, bold and beautiful. Children will howl (like monkeys) at the sight of poor, toothless Alan and the final page will have everyone in fits of giggles. Instantly appealing, undeniably hilarious and totally brilliant - there's really nothing that children won't love here. * Books for Keeps * This is a shop favourite which is perfect for reading aloud. * IBW Children's Book Guide, The Bookseller * Like the best picture books, it is a pleasingly simple story, set in a faraway place, with a lot to say to young readers. This lovely picture book will be enjoyed by the very young and the not so young alike. * School Library Association * The witty Jarvis ("Lazy Dave") makes all the right moves, drawing Alan's jungle world with his usual loose, jagged charm. * NY Times * "A chomping charmer of a story filled to the brim with giggles." * Baby London *