posted on 18 Nov 2018

That’s Why I Love Minecraft by Tony Walsh, illustrated by Adam Clarke

Crazes come and go but part of their enduring appeal for their younger adherents is that most adults don’t really get them. This is certainly my feeling about the passion for Minecraft, originally a video game that first appeared that first appeared in 2011 and that continues to fascinate many children and young people who enjoy being part of a complex fantasy other world that they can play, organise, add to and control either by themselves or with friends. Since its original launch there have been many related books and merchandise of all kinds to keeps fans eager and enthralled. Reading books is an integral part of the Minecraft experience because these are used as tools for players to gain more intricate knowledge and control of the game. Not only that but my limited internet research tells me that the possession of numerous bookshelves are needed as part of enchantment tables to guarantee full power! I don’t pretend to have a clue as to what that all means - but doesn’t it sound positive!?

The author and illustrator of this unusual picture book are trying to explain the appeal of Minecraft to the uninitiated like myself and they do it very well. It is clear that they are big fans themselves, although it is stated on the cover that it is an ‘unofficial’ Minecraft book, which perhaps gives the publishers more scope for making it unusual and very imaginative. The poetic text is integrated with the bold illustrations on every double page spread, sometimes running on the left hand side and occasionally looping around the pictures, conveying energy. The enthusiastic refrain ‘ I LOVE MINECRAFT’ is appropriately capitalised at the end of each stanza and the complete poem is printed in full at the end of the book.

The distinctive style of the illustrations adds to the message that players become fully part of the Minecraft world because the child ( in part inspired by Adam Clarke’s own Minecraft loving ten year old son, Django) and the other people depicted appear to be also constructed with blocks. I guess that this helps to explain just how it feels to be fully immersed in a game that holds no barriers to the imagination. I think that my favourite part was when we see him sitting giant-like on the cliffs overlooking the purple sea:

I love to swim beneath the sea

Adventurous and strong and free

There’s buried treasure inside me

And that’s why

I LOVE MINECRAFT!

This picture book shows how imaginative children use Minecraft to create exciting new worlds. The final pages show the player looking down on what he has built which left me feeling encouraged by the super-positive message:

I love to see my plans unfurled

I love to see that boys and girls

Go on to build a better world!

And that’s why

I LOVE MINECRAFT!

I’m not sure that I am persuaded that I'll take up reading any official Minecraft books or to become a player as a result of reading this one; but I do now feel that I now have some insight into why this world appeals to younger readers. Job done.

 

Karen Argent

November 2018