The Riddlemaster by K. Crossley-Holland

Abstract

Crossley-Holland, Kevin. The Riddlemaster. Tradewind Books, 2015.The Riddlemaster is a picture book aimed at children between the ages of four and seven, although the story may interest readers of multiple ages. It tells the story of three children: Anouk, Ben, and Cara. Together, these friends seek to cross a harbour to a special island full of treasure. The children are offered passage on a boat with the mysterious old man known as the Riddlemaster, and many terrifying island creatures. Anouk, Ben, and Cara must answer seven riddles the Riddlemaster and island creatures ask them during the voyage, or be eaten alive. If they succeed, however, they will meet the rest of the islanders, who are well-beloved literary characters from around the world.The riddles within the story are generally drawn from classic mythology, and may be difficult to guess for young children. The story is told in approachable and masterful language, however, and is well-paced. The watercolour illustrations in the book match the text well, and add a layer of diversity, especially among the children, who come across as distinct in personality and culture. The setting is haunting, and reminiscent of coastal medieval European towns.The Riddlemaster presents a different story for children, with a lot of charm. It strongly celebrates literature and mythology, although some references may not be understood by younger children. The Riddlemaster is a rich read for families that naturally leads to new thoughts, questions, and conversations. It also serves as a good jumping board for further myths, legends, and literature.Recommended: 3 out of 4 starsReviewer: Colette LeungColette Leung is a graduate student at the University of Alberta, working in the fields of Library and Information science and Humanities Computing who loves reading, cats, and tea. Her research interests focus around how digital tools can be used to explore fields such as literature, language, and history in new and innovative ways.