The Bolds: 1 - Tapa blanda

"After a crocodile in Africa eats two English tourists, a pair of hyenas (Mr. and Mrs. Bold) travel back to Teddington, England, disguised as the tourists. The book follows the Bolds' adventures as they try to resist their animal nature so that they can blend into their new suburban neighborhood and live as humans. This fast-paced read follows the family, including their new twin baby hyenas, as they break a fellow hyena out of captivity in a safari park. The twist at the end may surprise readers, though there are clues hidden in the illustrations throughout the book. There are enough wacky situations and outright jokes (Mr. Bold finds a job writing jokes because hyenas are always laughing) to engage reluctant readers. There is some potty humor, but this is sure to add to the book's appeal. Roberts's illustrations support the off-kilter, humorous mood of the book and are integrated into the text in inventive ways. For example, the page where the crocodile eats the English tourists features an illustration of a wide-open crocodile mouth; the number of words on each line lessens as the text goes further into the crocodile's mouth. Underscoring the slapstick appeal is a message about understanding others' differences. VERDICT: Fans of Roald Dahl will find much to appreciate here."--School Library Journal

"In this humorously off-kilter tall tale, British comic Clary's first book for children, a pair of hyenas take on the identity of two British honeymooners eaten by crocodiles while on safari. The hyenas hide their tails in human clothes and their ears under hats, adapting so well to their new lives that they raise their cubs to fit in as humans, too. 'It is true to say that people in Teddington considered them to be an unusual couple, ' notes the chatty narrator. 'But no one jumped to the conclusion that they were a pair of hyenas.' Because the family laughs and kids around so much, they make friends easily and even share their secret with one trusted human. Their grumpy, spying neighbor is trouble, however, and when a hyena at a nearby safari park needs rescuing, the Bolds' plan to free him could mean blowing their cover. Roberts's manically expressive b&w illustrations capitalize on the unapologetically silly premise (Mrs. Bold is a real style icon in oversize glasses, a turban, and a dress with the silhouette of a lampshade) as Clary mixes animal fact with imaginative, entertaining fiction."--Publishers Weekly

"In this very funny British adventure by debut author Julian Clary, two African hyenas steal the passports of two English tourists (who are eaten by crocodiles while on safari) and decide to begin a new life in human society. Thus, two English-speaking hyenas (they learned it at the nearby tourist camp), come to be Fred and Amelia Bold. 'Amelia' has always fancied living in England, with its cooler weather and custom of 'lining up' vs. 'fighting and diving in for scraps of meat.' So they stand up on their hind legs, put on safari clothes, tuck in their tails, laugh less and prepare to fake it. They pull it off: 'It is true to say that people in Teddington considered them to be an unusual couple. But no one jumped to the conclusion that they were a pair of hyenas.' What follows is a fabulous send-up of human society--undiggable gardens, having to pay for everything ('What a nuisance!') and 'things called 'jobs.' ' The new Fred and Amelia do get jobs, and after what Amelia thinks is a 'moldy burger' stomachache, she gives birth to twins: 'And the Bolds laughed and laughed with joy.' It's an ongoing struggle--and a goldmine of humor--not to blow their cover in suburban England, especially under the ever-watchful eye of their suspicious neighbor Mr. McNumpty. Middle-graders will revel in the low-brow silliness, with delightful illustrations of the joyful, sharp-toothed hyena family by British artist David Roberts. The Bolds is not pure frivolity, it's also a celebration of ingenuity, tolerance, untiring good humor and big hyena hearts."--starred, Shelf Awareness

"Meet the Bolds: Fred, Amelia, and their children, Bobby and Betty; as nice a suburban family of hyenas posing as humans as one could ask for, they should rehabilitate the scavenger's tattered, post-Lion King reputation among the younger set. They move to an English suburb, Teddington, which has a comfortable climate; moreover, here, instead of engaging in the hyena dinnertime free-for-all on the savannah, humans line up politely. These pluses aside, the long learning curve tests Fred and Amelia, requiring the utmost ingenuity and adaptability, especially after the pups are born. They're up to the challenge. Shocked to discover water and food aren't free, Fred lands a job writing the silly jokes inserted in Christmas crackers. Hats make good disguises, but how are the pups to hide their tails at school? Certain cherished hyena habits are hard to break (laughing raucously in class, rummaging through garbage, gnawing on chairs). Misanthropic Mr. McNumpty next door becomes suspicious, especially after the family starts visiting the safari park and learns an elderly hyena's in mortal danger. Published first in the U.K., the book's hilarious plot and abundant illustrations make it a top choice for reluctant readers. The art brilliantly reflects the many twists and turns of plot and emotion, among them the Bolds' (mostly) staid suburban home life, their sinister neighbor, and other wild animals--fox, hippo, gazelle--possibly living the human life incognito. Wildly original and very funny."--starred, Kirkus Reviews

"Spot and Sue, two hyenas living in Africa near a safari camp, slowly learn how to understand and then speak English. When a human couple on safari are eaten by crocodiles, Spot and Sue seize the opportunity. Walking on their hind legs and disguising themselves with clothing, the two hyenas take on the humans' identities--their names (Mr. and Mrs. Bold), passports, even plane tickets home to England. And that is the start of their adventure. They settle in to a quaint British suburb, secure jobs, and have two pups, er, children, all the while hiding their animal nature from everyone except perhaps their nosy neighbor, Mr. McNumpty. In its quirky, unique way, this explores themes of family and what constitutes human nature. Filled with jokes and body-related humor, and illustrated with many pencil drawings by Roberts, this entertaining tale will make readers chortle. A good choice for reluctant readers and fans of Captain Underpants."--Booklist Online