Known for his political cartoons and book illustrations, artist Chris Riddell has assembled an entertaining collection of illustrations sure to please literature/English teachers everywhere. In THE DA VINCI COD: AND OTHER ILLUSTRATIONS FOR UNWRITTEN BOOKS, Riddell shares drawings that spoof famous book titles.

Besides “The Da Vinci Cod,” there are drawings for “The Apes of Wrath,” “The Water Adolescents,” and “Oliver Bust.” Sixty-six titles are spoofed, with the original publication dates ranging from 1776 to 2003, with the “apologies” to the authors at the back (in other words, Riddell provides a key in case a reader can’t figure out the spoof).

This book is flat-out funny, and often irreverent. Literature teachers might get a kick out of assigning classes to figure out the title spoofs, as should the students (theoretically).

For anyone who likes to read or appreciates classic literature, this little book is a hoot. Take it home so you always have a few laughs available on an otherwise gloomy day.

Reviewed by Christina Wantz Fixemer
11/21/2006

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