The Complete Illustrated Works of Lewis Carroll - Lewis Carroll

Advantages: Wonderful, enchanting read for all ages.
Disadvantages: Very weird, and a bit dated.

...Alice in Wonderland was written by Lewis Carrol, the pseudonym of a maths professor called Charles Lutwidge Dodson. There is a famous story of Queen Victoria, having read Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, ordering her courtiers to bring her everything that Lewis Carroll had written, only to receive a pile of mathematical papers! Suffice it to say that there are a lot of mathematical puzzles hidden in his work, so that beneath the apparently delightful, nonsensical surface of his books there are hidden depths. (This is more apprent in the sequel 'Through the Looking Glass' than Alice, with its references to chess). Alice in Wonderland is that rarity - a children's book that can be read on many levels. It has brilliantly crafted nonsense poetry, of which "the mouse's tale" - a beautiful shape poem in the shape of a mouse... Read review

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Advantages: Ballad style poetry: easy to read and to listen to
Disadvantages: Makes you try to look deeper

...“The Hunting of the Snark”, a poem by Lewis Carroll, was first published 1876. Lewis Carroll, the pseudonym of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, is best known for 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland', probably the only book of his that the majority of people remember. But 'Alice' was not his only work. Carroll wrote a variety of other works including humorous prose and poetry and mathematical treatises. “The Hunting of the Snark”, is often referred to as a nonsense poem. Well, yes the Snark is fictional creature and the poem is in parts absurd. Written in ballad form with rhyming alternate lines, it is easy to read and to listen to. Many people claim that the poem is in reality not nonsense but a satirical social comment on the church, law, exploration and medical ethics. Some even say it is another example of Carroll’s sexual repression... Read review

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Advantages: Imaginative, funny, clever and unique
Disadvantages: It is too short

...stories for which he received moderate success. Between1854 and 1856, his work, mostly humourous and often satirical began appearing in the national publications. He changed his name to Lewis - the anglicised version of Lutwidge Carroll - the anglicised version of Charles in 1856. About the Illustrator Joel Stewart is not only an illustrator of children's picture books but also an accomplished artist with an eye for detail. Stewart, interestingly grew up in a commune somewhere in the wilds near Barnsley. Illustrating was in his blood as his grandfather was also in this line of business. He studied at Falmouth College of Arts and managed to obtain first class honours for his efforts. Lately, Stewart has risen to the challenge of writing his own picture books as well as illustrating them in his unique and some might say bizarre fashion... Read review

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