Uncle Shawn and Bill and the Almost Entirely Unplanned Adventure - Tapa dura

"[...] a delight [...] A witty, absurd attack on animal cruelty and a zany adventure tale, it's like Roald Dahl after a hefty swig of Irn Bru. [...] Irresistible." * Sunday Herald * "[...] a wonderfully daft caper with masses of child appeal" * The Bookseller * A witty, absurd attack on animal cruelty and zany adventure tale, it is like Roald Dahl on an energy drink. [...] There's still a sharp edge to Kennedy's fiction, but this is surprisingly daft and fun. Here she is letting rip, revelling in quirkiness and a children's story-telling voice - and it's irresistible. * The Herald * This is a stylishly funny story written by AL Kennedy, enhanced by Gemma Correll's quirky and informative illustrations. Ideal for discerning young readers. * Scotsman * "Its tone and the quality of its illustrations make this a promising starter book for children who are reluctant readers." * Armadillo * "It's a delightful hardback, illustrated with childlike glee by Gemma Correll. The pungent language, pointed names and uncompromisingly horrible adults are reminiscent of Roald Dahl." * Daily Record * "Kennedy relishes her technicolour villains (Maude and Ethel McGloone could out-nasty Dahl's Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker) and shares David Walliam's knack for psychological observation (the sisters live in "a cottage full of failed knitting"). But the big delight here is the prose. Chapter books for younger readers are so often couched in bland language, but this brims with exhilarating imagery. [...] Highly recommended." * The Observer, Children's Book of the Week * "[...] there are several belly laughs along the way - especially courtesy of Gemma Correll's wide-eyed illustrations." * The Guardian * The Dahlesque wickedness of the McGloones forms a wonderful contrast to the gentle benevolence shown by Uncle Shawn and there's a zany, madcap humour and surreal logic to it all which is delightfully engaging.It would be fun to compare Ethel and Maude with Aunts Sponge and Spiker in James and the Giant Peach. Children who enjoy the mix of crazy comedy, jeopardy and warmth will also appreciate Philip Ardagh's stories of The Grunts. - February 2017 Book of the Month * LoveReading, Andrea Reece * "Badger Bill and four depressed llamas are in trouble and need rescuing, will Uncle Shawn be able to save the day? Relish in some pure zany escapism." * Little London *