The Tunnel

Story

This book follows the story of a brother and sister who continuously bicker. One day they both discover a tunnel when the girl is apprehensive about going inside the boy's curiosity lures him to do so without a flinch. When he doesn't return, she has to pluck up the courage to go in all alone to find him.

Why we chose it

The closely observed and finely drawn sibling relationship is at the heart of this story. The detailed illustrations of the world on the other side of the tunnel are full of fairy tale references and details to spot.

Anthony Browne is a highly acclaimed and well loved children’s author and illustrator. He was the Children’s Laureate 2009-11

Where it came from

Anthony Browne's childhood consisted of playing sport, drawing and fighting with his older brother. The Tunnel follows a strong theme of a sibling relationship which was inspired by his own experience with his brother. They even discovered a creepy tunnel together that they always used to go down.

Where it went next

The Tunnel was the Winner of the Netherlands Silver Pencil Award and translated into 26 languages.

Associated stories

In 1981 Anthony Browne re-told Hansel and Gretel as a picture book, which also follows a strong sibling relationship theme throughout the story.