Angie, Ollie, Simona, Mario and Eric are five friends with fantastic powers, although Eric’s ability is a little hazy when we first meet him. The friends’ amazing abilities are as diverse as they are. On a excursion in the countryside, mishap comes their way but in a beautiful act of teamwork, they avert disaster and save the day. (Oh, and we discover Eric’s amazing ability at the end.)
Quentin Blake’s unmistakable loose line and playful watercolors imbue his characters with humor and lightheartedness. His exuberant work is immediately identifiable on first glance and it’s hard to imagine what the kidlit landscape would be like without his significant contribution.
The Five of Us was written and illustrated by Quentin Blake and published by Tate.