The Carpet People
By Michael Berry,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Funny fantasy about tiny rug folk a wry satire of leaders.
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What you will—and won't—find in this book.
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What's the Story?
After the mysterious force known as the Fray destroys their home, a band of tiny, intrepid Munrungs sets off across the Carpet in search of safety and civilization. They encounter all kinds of opponents and obstacles, from treacherous mouls and fierce snargs to the mysterious wights who claim to remember the future. Each step of the way, the Munrungs wonder whether there's a better way to rule themselves and deal with their enemies.
Is It Any Good?
Originally written when the author was 17 and updated almost three decades later, THE CARPET PEOPLE retains some adolescent awkwardness. Narrated at a distance and lacking a single, unifying protagonist, the tale might not fully engage some readers. There's plenty of good-natured humor and wry musings on the nature of government and leadership, though. Aspiring writers also can study the story's earliest version, a 12-part serial that first appeared in Terry Pratchett's hometown newspaper.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what makes for a healthy civilization. Is it easier to rule a vast empire or to let smaller communities cooperate among themselves?
What kinds of things do you think author Terry Pratchett, now over 40, changed in The Carpet People since he first wrote it at age 17?
What would it be like if, like the wights in The Carpet People, people could remember the future as well as the past?
Book Details
- Author: Terry Pratchett
- Illustrator: Terry Pratchett
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures
- Book type: Fiction
- Publication date: November 5, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 17
- Number of pages: 304
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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