It's not until a big juicy pear lands on the ground between the two worms, that their paths finally (and fatefully) cross. Nibbling from the left and nibbling from the right, the worms meet in the middle - and . . .
. . . immediately set to fighting.
They tousle and tangle and soon become one, twisted together and forced to share - until a small tragedy separates them once more. But will this separation bring them closer together or force them apart?
Clearly visually inspired by Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Jonathan and Martha's story is a simple but impactful one, using a series of page flaps and holes, colours and concepts reminiscent of Carle's book.
Nonetheless, Horacek's book stands alone in its cleverness and visual beauty - typical of all his works, and making him a highly collectable author/illustrator of a large variety of picture book styles.
Check out our reviews of The Fly and Suzy Goose and the Christmas Star, also by Horacek.
Title: Jonathan & Martha
Author/Illustrator: Petr Horacek
Publisher: Phaidon, $16.95 RRP
Publication Date: 5 April 2012
Format: Hard cover with dust jacket
ISBN: 9780714863511
For ages: 3+
Type: Picture Book
