Monday, July 18, 2016

Wilf the Mighty Worrier Battles a Pirate - Review



Wilf the Mighty Worrier Battles a Pirate
Author: Georgia Pritchett
Publisher: Quercus (To be released November 1, 2016)
Advanced Reading Copy provided by publisher

Wilf worries about everything. Peanuts, bears, scorpions, salt water and so forth, but especially Alan, the man next door who keeps trying to take over or destroy the world. Alan worries Wilf so much he has to get a pamphlet with hints about how to not worry. When Alan decides to build a pirate ship with a big gun thingy, Wilf feels so worried he "wanted to knit himself a big woolly hat that went over his eyes so he couldn't see what happens next."

Fortunately for the world, Wilf's worries never get the best of him and he has to take action. We set off on a series of manic "kerfuffles" filled with wild invented words that always make sense in context. It is humor somewhat in the vein of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey, but with less toilet talk and more genuine affection by the hero for Wilf's bizarre little sister, for his best friend and pet, Stuart the woodlouse, and for all the random, sometime very random, people he meets along the way. I laughed out loud, and would have happily bought these for my kids if they were even close to the right age.

Highly recommended for young readers, and their older siblings, and especially their parents who get to read along. Since this will not be released until November, I recommend you start with Wilf the Mighty Worrier Saves the World, and pre-order this book so you get it when it is released.

Five of five stars.

Amazon US
Amazon Canada

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Cody and the Fountain of Happiness (review)



Cody and the Fountain of Happiness
Author: Tricia Springstubb
Publisher: Candlewick; Reprint edition (April 12, 2016)
Borrowed from library

Cody is a delightful, impetuous girl whose adventures will delight early middle grade readers. Whether she is making friends with shy Spencer who lives nearby, or hypnotizing his cat, MewMew, or trying to set up her older brother with the beautiful Payton, every adventure iss a mix of marvelous and mishap. No matter how many times her mom reminds her to think before she acts, she never quite thinks enough.

Every character is this delightful book is endearing, and a little quirky. I can't wait to read the sequel.

Five of five stars.

Amazon US
Amazon Canada

Note: I added the Diversity tag because a major character, Spencer, is African-American.