The Misadventures of Frederick by Ben Manley illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark

Frederick seems be a 'walking disaster'.  Look closely at the front cover. I've given you a large image here to help you. His toy train is derailed, the truck has lost a wheel, he has spilled the ink bottle on his desk and poor old Teddy is flat on his back.

Meanwhile Emily is having terrific fun outside.  Here is the back cover of this book:

Before the story begins we see Frederick. He is sitting in his dark room with his crumpled bicycle. A paper aeroplane flies in through the open window.

Hello
I can see you from the forest.
You look bored.
Would you like to go for an ice cream?
My favourite flavour is chocolate.
Love
Emily  

Frederick asks his mother if he can venture outside but she reminds him of past misadventures. Frederick writes back to Emily:

My Dearest Emily,
The woodlark's melody floats across the shimmering sky.
It is with bitter regret that I inform you I may not come out to eat ice creams today, on account that I might be sick into my music box.
Sorrowfully yours,
Frederick

I love this letter and the subsequent ones. The style of writing by the two children are so different.  On the first page, the one with the broken bike, Frederick is surrounded by books. I like to think that all his reading has given him this rich vocabulary and cultured turn of phrase.  Words like "bitter regret" must have come from a book surely.

Emily is not deterred. She writes again, sending another paper aeroplane, suggesting Frederick might like to climb a tree or two. Frederick Leopold Nadelbaum declines this offer again with bitter regret. "I might break both my collar bones."

And so the letters go back and forth. Emily suggests a bike ride but Frederick thinks he might graze all the skin off his bottom. Emily suggests swimming but Frederick is concerned about pneumonia. After several more letters, which are met with refusal, Emily yells through the window -

Come anyway 

Emily and Frederick have a terrific time running through the leaf filled forest. Then we turn the page and see one more letter. This final letter is from Frederick and it is sent from hospital. What has happened? Will Frederick ever be brave enough to venue out again?

Take a look at the first lines from each letter:

The woodlark's melody floats across the shimmering sky.
The finches flutter in the sycamores, startling the drowsy dormouse.
The wild rose rambles by the shady trail.
The lonely salmon makes his ragged run upstream.
The melancholy wind sighs through the golden ash.
The snow thaws on the bright mountain bringing forth the bluebell.

When Louise Pfanner showed me this book in her store Gleebooks a couple of weeks ago I knew I would love it. I have long been a huge fan of everything illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark.

A warm-hearted picture book about a special friendship in which free spirited Emily tempts anxious and pampered Frederick to brave the outdoors and enjoy some wonderful and unexpected adventures. Love Reading4Kids Julia Eccleshare

Ben's brilliantly atmospheric story works beautifully with Emma's gorgeously rich and detailed visuals to bring the story perfectly to life.  ReaditDaddy