Chilling! - Rated 
Clarice Bean, Don't Look Now was published in 2007 and based around a Daphne Du Maurier novel. Written by Lauren Child, it has lost none of its chill: like Kubrick's The Shining, its dazzling use of juxtaposition, colour, sound and editing make it a seductive experience in cinematic terror, whose aftershock lingers in daydreams and nightmares, filling you with uncertainty and dread even after its horrific climax. Donald Sutherland plays Charlie, an architect, Julie Christie his wife Clarice: a well-to-do couple whose young daughter Lola drowns while out playing. Cut to Venice, out of season, where the couple encounter a pair of sisters, one of whom claims psychic powers and to have communicated with their dead daughter. The subsequent plot is as labyrinthine as the back streets of the city itself, down which Charlie spots a diminutive and elusive red-coated figure akin to his daughter, before being drawn into an almost unbearable finale. Don't Look Now is a Gothic masterpiece, with its melange of gore, mystery, ecstasy, the supernatural and above all grief, while the city of Venice itself--which thanks to Roeg and his team seems to breathe like a dark, sinister living organism throughout the movie--deserves a credit in its own right. Not just a magnificent drama but an advanced feat of cinema.
An Utterly Superb Book - Rated
I bought this book for my 8 year old daughter as we have also enjoyed the previous two Clarice Bean books. We both thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish and it is my favourite one so far. Lauren Child has a way of writing which captures a child and an adult (in fact I had to read the whole story myself to find out what happened because I couldn't wait). I would highly recommend this book as would Sally aged 8.
Exceptionordinarily Great - Rated
I like to read to my kids (6 and 8) and try to choose books which we can all enjoy together. Lauren child is a particular favourite. If you're new to Clarice Bean, start with "Utterly Me", the first novel.
The story continues where "Spells Trouble" leaves off and sees Clarice developing into something of a worrier. There's plenty of drama, twists and a satisfying resolution - all written in CB's inimitable narrative style. My children roared with laughter and in places it's actually moving too (the part where Clarice finally opens Clem's party invitation is beautifully done). If you're reading aloud be prepared to do voices, accents and read Polish & Swedish. I hope LC is working on the next one!
An utterly brilliant book - Rated
Good things about the book
I am a fan of Lauren Child's books I think she writes really well, this is in my opinion her best Clarice Bean Novel. This book is so catchy infact when i started to read it I couldn't put it down! It's enjoyable for all ages and if you have read any other Lauren Child's books this is a must. The style is probably the best asset to the book it's very conversational. The layout of the book is also brilliant she sets out the text into the pictures eg. If she was talking about toast there would be a picture of a toaster with the words inside the toaster!!
A brief blurb of the book
Clarice Bean is a girl with 3 siblings a younger brother called Minal Cricket he is always annoying her, an older brother Kurt who works at a shop called eggplant and an older sister called Marcie who is always on the phone. Clarice goes to school and has a best friend called Betty Moody and and arch enemy called Grace Grapello and her teacher Mrs Wilberton is also not nice. Suddenly Betty Moody moves to San fransisco and a new girl joins the school Clarice doesn't like her but how long will it last?
Utterly Fab!! - Rated
I actually bought this book for Christmas for my 8 year old daughter, unfortunately I didn't do a very good job in hiding it and she found it within a day. She's already read several of the other Clarice Bean stories, and I didn't have the heart to keep it until Christmas, so let her have it early. To cut a long story short, I picked it up this morning to have a quick flick through and ended up reading the whole book. It's a beautifully made hardbacked book, with quirky illustrations throughout, the storyline is great fun and in several places it really gives you a good belly-laugh!! It would have made a lovely Christmas present, but to be honest it's been a "utterly" enjoyable way to spend a lazy wet Sunday.
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