Imaginary Fred by Eoin Colfer and Oliver Jeffers – Review

Our Verdict: Expert storytelling

Our Rating: 10/10

Good quality picture books, featuring great illustrations and expert storytelling aren’t published as frequently as one might suspect.

But this is one of the good ones, created with a winning combination of Irish Children’s Laureate Eoin Colfer and children’s book illustrator Oliver Jeffers.

Imaginary Fred explores the relationship between children and imaginary friends. The pair bring to life Fred, an invisible friend who has been magically summoned by children for many years. Fred is starting to suffer attachment difficulties, knowing that as children flourish, they soon forget all about him and he fades away.

When Fred befriends Sam, it’s not long until the fading starts all over again. But then something amazing happens, because soon Fred meets an imaginary friend all of his very own.

It’s a lovely story. Funny, clever without smugness and one that makes you smile on difficult days.

Suitable for children aged five years upwards

Paperback £7.99
Harper Collins Children’s Books