#365PictureBooks 32. Use your imagination (But be careful WHAT you WISH for!) by Nicola O'Byrne

O'Byrne, N. (2014). Use your imagination (But be careful WHAT you WISH for). London, UK: Nosy Crow.

ISBN: 9780857633354
Pages: 32
Age Level: Middle Childhood 7-12
Genre: Picture Storybook
Rating: 5 stars

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Rabbit is bored, bored, bored!  One day he is laying around wishing something would happen when Wolf has the perfect idea...

"Why don't we write a story?"

"I am a librarian, you know,

and librarians know a lot

about stories."

After a bit of a nervous start Rabbit decides that this is a fantastic idea, and Wolf teaches Rabbit how to use his imagination to write a story.  But is Wolf really as helpful as he appears, or does he have some other sneaky plot up his sleeve?  And is Rabbit really as unaware as he makes out?  

You'll just have to read it for yourself to find out!  And I really do suggest you read it.  It's fantastic!!!

What a brilliant twist on the traditional tale of Little Red Riding Hood.  Children that know the original tale will be able to compare the two, and try and predict what is going to happen.  And of course intermingled within the story is some really worthwhile information on how to write a story.



O'Byrne's illustrations are presented with the books sepia paper as the background.  The only spots of bright colour are the props that Rabbit imagines for his story, with help from Wolfs suggestions.  The expressions on the characters faces are so well done, especially poor elephant's shock at being in the story.



A great teaching tool for use with story writing, use of speech marks, prediction, and using your imagination.  It's also a brilliant read aloud book.

I love the ending when Wolf gets his comeuppance!  (Oops! Sorry! Spoiler alert!!).

My favourite line from Rabbit ... 

"Isn't Imagination a wonderful thing?"

I got my copy of Use your imagination from the Taradale Primary School library where I work. 

You can find a copy at Napier Libraries.