Ben's Big Dig
by Daniel Wakeman
illustrated by Dirk Van Stralen
- Commended, CCBC Our Choice
If you dug a hole to the other side of the earth, where do you think you would end up? In this wordless picturebook, pictures tell Ben's story of a midnight journey through the center of the earth and the surprising journey home. Ben's mother has dropped him off for a visit with his grandmother, a woman with a penchant for baking. Ben feels lost and lonely until he discovers a chest full of mining gear. He embarks on an adventure that will make him grateful for the hundreds of pies stacked in his grandmotherís kitchen.
close this panel"An innovative picture book that takes the traditional creator/reader relationship and gives it a fascinating shake-up."
"The appeal comes both from Van Stralen's vivid colour illustrations and the way kids can fill in their own dialogue and story based on the pictures - some of which take physical comedy to new and fishy heights.""Ben's Big Dig is a winner."
"The pictures in this book, some of which look down on Ben from above, are nifty."
"The illustrations are vivid and bold."
"A visually sophisticated and appealing book that warrants and rewards multiple viewings.""Highly Recommended."
"A wonderful adventure awaits in this wordless picture book.""Stralen's vivid illustrations capture the feeling of a clandestine midnight dig where adventure awaits the reader."
