FAQ #2: Read-alouds

Do you recall a particular book that your family enjoyed reading out loud when your daughter was young?

Yes!  The brilliant, subversive How Tom Beat Captain Najork and His Hired Sportsmen by Russell Hoban, with fabulous illustrations by Quentin Blake, in which Tom teaches the Captain and his sportsmen about the value of fooling around.  My husband could, and probably still can, do all the voices. His Captain Najork was splendid, though he excelled at Aunt Fidget Wonkham-Strong. For years “Fool around, Tom!” was a watchword around our house.

Have a listen to Quentin Blake, the illustrator, about why he enjoys this book so much

I’d like to add that Fungus the Bogeyman and Leo the Late Bloomer tie for second.