Instructions by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Charles Vess

A review by Nalini Haynes

★★★★

Instructions is less a story and more a jumble of odd comments, mostly instructional in tone, blended into a cohesive whole by Vess’s beautiful illustrations. Much of the prose relates to fairy tales or mythology so Gaiman fans can dig deep for hidden meaning and relevance.

Instructions is a short picture book for a parent and child to explore, comparing prose and images, during shared reading time. The combination of prose and imagery invites inventive storytelling from readers, an excellent means of developing reading and the imagination while having quality time. Adult Gaiman and/or Vess fans can pore over Instructions, exploring the beauty and seeking hidden meanings.

★★★★ 4/5 stars

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