Status
Publication
Description
Welcome to Ink House, a mysterious mansion, built on a reservoir of ink, that was abandoned when computers took over from writing by hand, and emails replaced letters. One day Freddie Foxglove, an enterprising fox, discovers the dilapidated house and decides it's the perfect place to spend winter hibernation. Animals arrive from the forest, then further afield, from Prunella Shears, the gardening bee to Geraldine the Giraffe. As the house exerts its magical influence, the animals begin to embrace creative pursuits, writing, reading and studying the stars. They enjoy a magical winter, with daily tea parties and music recitals, until spring arrives and a strange sight appears on the horizon... With discoveries on every page, this exquisitely inked picture book will surprise and delight readers of all ages.… (more)
User reviews
The Ink House is artist Rory Dobner's picture-book debut, and what a debut it is. The artwork, which looks to be done (appropriately enough) in ink, is marvelously detailed and immensely beautiful. The opening scene, in which the mansion is depicted, is simply magical, as are the many fanciful animal portraits. The story-line is interesting, although I found the text itself somewhat less engaging than the visuals. I was reminded a bit of Graeme Base's The Eleventh Hour, which, although it features a far more colorful style of artwork than that found here, also tells the tale of a group of animals having a party at a mansion. Recommended to anyone who enjoys beautifully-illustrated picture-books. For my part, I hope Rory Dobner produces more titles.