The king's stilts

Dr. Seuss's classic treatise on the importance of a balanced life, that is such a good description of this book. Pretty standard stuff really, a nice hard working king who loves a bit of fun, a young boy who helps him and a nasty old grumpy man who doesn't like fun.... and a pair of stilts.

We enjoyed the story and I really do like these grey and red illustrations that Dr Seuss uses, they stand out really well on the pages.

Having just read some of Geisel's war propaganda, this made for an interesting - and heavily influenced - change of pace. Very much a good/evil pairing, with relaxation and hard work being the good, and conformity and propriety being the motivation for evil acts.

All told, a bizarre juxtaposition.