The Mouldy

by Nicola Bayley, William Mayne

Talitha, daughter of the king, figures out how to deal with the monster who has left the Wilderness and is interrupting the peace of the great Garden of the World.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Nicola Bayley is one of England's bestloved artists. She has illustrated many acclaimed picture books for children, including Katje, The Windmill Cat, by Gretchen Woelfle, which was short-listed for the Kate Greenaway Medal. She lives in London.

Reviews

[Sem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, the illustrations! I have so much love for this artist.

[Capn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why are Nicola Bayley's wonderful illustrations so often cabochon in stature?! >:( It's the same with One Old Oxford Ox.
Story starts well, with some suspence, but then there's some gratuitous violence (the princess metes this out), and then a royal wedding. It's a bit weird. Are moles always itchy?!
If Bayley's work wasn't shrunk to thumbnail size, this might have been a 4 star. Bring a magnifying glass along to this one...

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet little bedtime story I read to myself last night. The Garden of the World is in trouble, and the Princess comes to the rescue.

I mostly loved the artwork in this book. Reminded me of one of my favorite Surrealist painters Remedios Varo.

[Maia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gorgeously illustrated Thumbelina-type fairy tale. Princess Talitha lives in a garden kingdom with her father, helping in the Daffodil school and the nursery until a terrible monster- The Mouldy- begins digging up her peaceful kingdom. Armed with a sewing needle, the princess sets out to battle the beast.

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Five stars for Nicola Bayley's artwork. I expected better of William Mayne's story. The wording is a bit twee, and the plot is just strange and not in a way that inspired, but rather it felt like it was struggling to be more than it was. I don't know how else to put it.

[Amy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5