The book may be highly rated because it was a departure (especially so in the early 1960's) from many other children's books with innocuous contents. The theme seems to me more scary in terms of a child being sent to bed early as punishment, and then dreaming his way to an island inhabited with scary-looking beasties. Granted the beasties are not as scary as they first appear, and respond positively to the intruder but I think that is positive overall as a lesson in life (except when you do encounter a real carnivorous beast). But scary appearances do not necessarily mean scary behavior.

I think the artwork is quite good, especially when compared to Disney style art, but that is a matter of opinion.

I am puzzled that such an alternative children's book became so successful. There are many brilliant books available and just a few manage to attract this level of attention, and most of the successful ones have a more predictable formula.

I haven't seen the movie, but I doubt that I'd be favorably impressed with the translation of the book to the big screen.

Charley Noble