The Beast and the Bethany: Funny illustrated gothic middle-grade award-winning humour for 8+ readers, new look for 2023!

Dieses Buch ist fantastisch und ich war sofort gefesselt von der Geschichte von Ebenezer Tweezer und seinem Beast. Die Geschichte ist voller spannender Momente und sehr lebendig erzählt.

Dieses Buch ist sehr fesselnd und bietet eine interessante Geschichte über Ebenezer Tweezer und sein Tier, allerdings finde ich den Einstieg etwas langsam.

Das Buch hat eine schöne Aufmachung und fühlt sich angenehm in der Hand an. Das Papier wirkt gut und der Druck ist klar lesbar. Die Bindung hält das Buch gut zusammen. Mein Kind findet es schön zum Vorlesen.

Ganz ganz spannende und fesselnde Geschichte. An sich ein Kinderbuch, nichtsdestotrotz derzeit meine allerliebste Gruselgeschichte. Zu beachten ist, dass es derzeit nur die englische und niederländische Ausgabe gibt.

My Recommendation The book is aimed at children from 9 to 13. Nonetheless it is also much fun to read as an adult. The only missing main character in the title of the book is Ebenezer Tweezer. He is the „owner“ of the beast and will turn 512 years in a week. He kept his eternal youth by drinking an elixir the Beast provides in exchange for something special to eat. After all those years the Beast finally wants to eat a human child. First Ebenezer is shocked but then he tries to find the most awful child there is and he finds….Yes….of course he finds ….Bethany!!!!Bethany is everyone’s worst nightmare. She is everything a child is not supposed to be, which makes her the perfect food for the beast. She’ll certainly taste yummy….I thoroughly enjoyed reading „The Beast and the Bethany“ and instantly fell in love with Bethany the first time she’s mentioned. She reminds me a lot about Pippi Langstrumpf as she also has a strong personality and isn’t easily scared. Isabelle Follath created gorgeous illustrations and really made Bethany and the other characters come to life.The book in total is British down to the bone. If I ever have enough time to show my pupils what exactly British humor is, I’ll read „The Beast and the Bethany“ with them. But it’s not only full of British humor, there are also many other examples of Britishness to be found in it.It’s a great book about friendship and its different aspects. Also it critically reflects on modern society with its need for eternal youth, like a mix between Pippi Langstrumpf and the Picture of Dorian Grey.All in all I can recommend reading this book and I hope that it’ll also be published in German soon so my boys can read it too.

The Beast and the Bethany is a funny story with just the right level of disgusting that kids will enjoy. I mean, the beast is just so horrible. The wonderful illustrations in this book, along with descriptions of slime and rotten cabbage, bring him to life, so much so that maybe he even becomes a little too close for comfort.The beast also has a horrid personality – he wants to to eat everything and everyone! That’s not to say that the other characters are wonderful either. While they may not be out to eat anybody, Bethany and Ebenezer also have very few morals and are filled with flaws, albeit still rather likeable.Kids will enjoy learning whether or not Bethany ends up been eaten by the beast. While most adults will enjoy that storyline too, they will also appreciate the underlying themes of the book: the importance of friendship and standing up to bullies.Written using simple but impactful language, The Beast and the Bethany is a quick read that all age groups will enjoy. A little birdie told me there is a sequel in the works. I can’t wait!