Platypus
by Chris Riddell

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Book Reviews of Platypus

Book Review: Australia's intrepid hero
Summary: 2 Stars

A young platypus named... um... Platypus (no real creativity there) sets about his day collecting fun things to add to his special box. When he comes across a large curly shell, Platypus is certain he has found exactly the object he's been looking for. After taking it home, however, Platypus finds it missing. He locates it and brings it back only to find the same thing happen the day after that. What is going on?

The story isn't too complex, that's for certain. But I can see the occasional child growing quite fond of the rolly-polly little mammal. Author Chris Riddell draws in a style not too dissimilar from that of early Berkeley Breathed. There's a real Opus quality to his Platypus character. The story seems a tad dated. Aside from two old shoes (one of which is a yellow high top) Platypus seems to have a yen for collecting toys circa 1952. Marbles, bottle caps, and the like.

On the whole, this is not a book that's gonna blow you away. On the other hand, it's not going to offend you either. And kids may enjoy figuring out why the shell moves away on Platypus before he himself does. So while I can find no real reason to dislike "Platypus", the book is lacking that something extra separates the merely good books from the excellent ones. For the kid obsessed with Australian animals, this is a good starter story. For everyone else, you're not going to miss out if you somehow skip this book in your storytime.

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