This was a cute little book, but didn't quite hit the mark for me. Riddell's concept of an absolutely absurd adventure that in reality is all a dream works perfectly to let his illustrative imagination run wild, but storyline wise it wasn't all that engaging. I hate to say it, but maybe he should stick to illuminating other people's words visually, as that is where he really excels! ( )

52 months - just ok ( )

Bizarre story that stretches the imagination, with fun, colorful illustrations. ( )

When the boy-emperor of Absurdia awakens to the sounds of sky fish nibbling on umbrella trees, he falls out of bed, and into the arms of his Wardrobe Monster. Unfortunately, although his woolly hat, crumply coat, and jingle-jangle socks are soon located, the emperor's snuggly scarf is nowhere to be found! So begins this delightfully bizarre adventure, in which the young emperor ranges over the aptly named land of Absurdia, questing after his scarf, and barely escaping from the clutches of a mother dragon. Exhausted after a busy day, the emperor goes to sleep, awakening... but that's another story!

A delightfully imaginative romp through a dreamlike landscape, The Emperor of Absurdia is the kind of surreal adventure that will appeal to young Seuss lovers. Chris Riddell - who contributed his fabulous illustrations to Paul Stewart's fantasy series, The Edge Chronicles - is at his creepy best here. Expressive, bizarre, and somehow just right, his artwork manages to be simultaneously endearing and disturbing. This is one picture-book that young fans of the bizarre - or of Riddell - will not want to miss! ( )