SOUTH AFRICAN CHILDREN'S BOOKS

SACBIP Reviews 2008

A FRIEND FOR ASANDA by Carole Bloch, illustrated by Bev de Meyer (Jacana 2008)
A cheerfully illustrated, light-hearted simple story (for first readers) of Asanda who considers a wide range of South African animals before deciding that Big Dog is her real friend. Reading fun alongside vocabulary building. The artwork is full of character and invites an inquiring eye.
J Rating *

AFRICAN MYTHS & LEGENDS by Jay Heale & Dianne Stewart, illustrated by Gina Daniel & Angus McBridge (Struik 2008) large pb
This continuously popular book began its life as Daughter of the Moonlight by Dianne Stewart (1994) and South African Myths & Legends by Jay Heale (1995). They were combined into one glossy paperback in 2001 and have been reprinted a number of times since. The latest reissue has a cover picture by Gina Daniel of the girl Tangalimlibo who was hidden from the world and could only venture out by moonlight. 22 varied folktales and legends from around South Africa. Jay dares to recommend his own writing!
J Rating *
 
AFRICAN WILDLIFE TRIVIA by Dawid van Lill, illustrated by Annelise Meyer (Struik 2008) pb
Bearing in mind that this is a “dip in” book, rather than a “look it up” book, I think this is tremendous. Masses of snappy, interesting facts and figures, plenty of charts and  drawings, all relevant to Africa. The kind of book to delight children and send their parents wild! “Dad, did you know that …” No index, but a list of interesting websites to visit.
J Rating *

ANGELO AT THE WATERFRONT by Christopher Gregorowski, illustrated by Tony Grogan (David Philip)
A Christmas carol picture-book story. Somehow, the star must be fixed on the top of the Norfolk pine used as a Christmas tree in Main Road, Green Point. Young Angelo volunteers for the job and calls in his helicopter mates called the Angels of Mercy. On the flight, we get views of Sea Point seafront, Hout Bay fishing boats, Cape Point, Muizenberg surfers and a Mayday rescue. Back to the Waterfront with a super view of Table Mountain – and there’s still time to get the star on top of the tree.
A cheerful reminder that Grogan is an accomplished landscape artist. Though there is what the film world would call a Continuity problem: Angelo’s shirt keeps changing colour! Gregorowski’s smooth storytelling ensures we don’t forget the Christmas message of goodwill.
J Rating *

CITY AT THE END OF THE WORLD by François Bloemhof (Maskew Miller Longman 2008) Translation of the award-winning Stad aan die einde van die wêreld. A science fiction novel about Cape Town in 2084, a time when the world belongs to teenagers. A breathless existence full of electronic gadgetry, sex (or simsex) and drugs. Object: enjoyment, while it lasts. A bleak picture of teenage whirl offering deeper warnings to those with enough time to think about them. (Notes and study guides at the back.)
J Rating *

CREEPY STREET written & illustrated by Niki Daly (Songololo 2008)
Hallowe’en was once far more serious than children knocking on doors and asking for sweets. However, Niki Daly sticks to low-key. Modern fun with just a hint of haunting in this enjoyable picture-story book.
J Rating *

DANCE OF THE FREAKY GREEN GOLD by John Coetzee (Tafelberg 2008)
2007 Sanlam Silver Prize for Youth Literature
To my mind, the technology in the background has more impact than the story itself. Highly pertinent, we are given glimpses of an aging smoke-belching power station, ground-breaking experiments with algae that feed on carbon dioxide, based on a genuine bioreactor already in action in the States. The author has taken this process and used it in “mysterious circumstances” so that there is danger, suspicion, threats and eventual justification.
The characters – a divided family – ring true, but such details as suspected devil-worship, dancing with a python, and conducting expensive, vital experiments from a caravan just outside the power station are a bit far fetched. It’s a brisk adventure, though, and valuable for its focus on global warming and the power-needs of South Africa.
J Rating *

DREAMWALKING by Bettina Schouw, illustrated by Adam Carnegie (Songololo 2008) large pb
Picture books depend on their pictures and this one literally leaps into space. It’s bright, inventive, full of Africa and strange characters. Compulsive stuff. The verse text has a zest of its own even if it’s a bit ‘forced’ at times. It seems to urge every reader to imitate Mark Shuttleworth just by dreaming about it. A small detail has been left out: you need to become a millionaire first! Do dreamers become millionaires? I’m not sure – but you can’t get lift-off without imagination. This inviting, exciting picture-book is a spur to the imagination which so many modern children lack. Full marks to the artist!
J Rating *

EYE OF THE SUN by Dianne Hofmeyr (Simon & Schuster) HB
Sequel to Eye of the Moon – an IBBY Honour Book.
This is a dazzling, scintillating piece of writing with fascinating glimpses of life in Egypt during the time of Amenhotep and Nefertiti in amongst swirling dark clouds of jealousy and vicious plots. The research is impressive and intriguing, but the jumps in time and focus could complicate the storyline for some readers. Nevertheless, the pair of books must be welcomed as almost the only adventurous insight to ancient Egypt for young readers.
J Rating *
 
FAMOUS DINOSAURS OF AFRICA by Anusuya Chinsamy-Turan, illustrated by Luis V Rey (Struik 2008) large pb
Full of facts and good research, with plenty of dramatic illustrations and photos of fossils and archeology. A book to fulfil most children’s fascination with dinosaurs, yet concentrating on Africa so that it part of our continent’s story. Some of the text is a little dry but most youngsters will spend far more time looking at the pictures anyway! With a free fold-out poster of dinosaurs around a map of Africa.
J Rating *
 
FUSSY FREYA by Katharine Quarmby, illustrated by Piet Grobler (Human & Rousseau 2008) large pb
Rhymed text story of a girl who is a fussy eater, refusing super home grub until she is sent to Grandma Clare who, with apparent chef Grandpa, scare Freya so much that home grub is suddenly great! Revolting children and weird edible imaginings are ideal for Piet Grobler who adorns the pages deliciously.
J Rating *

JAMES LITEL AND THE LAND OF MAGICOLOGY by KR Elliott, illustrated by MM Mohwaduba (New Voices Publishing 2008)
Written by a young author; it’s full of illogical bloodshed and violence; there is no plot worth talking of; there is a distressing lack of proof-reading; and it ends with that hoary cliché “It was all a dream”. Yet it is bursting with inventiveness, it has surprising panache, and because I suspect that this author will (one day) produce something of lasting quality. The vivid description is gory, pointless, relentless, constantly surprising and horribly riveting. Not for the faint-hearted!

JESSE’S STORY by Fiona MacGregor, illustrated by Jesse Breytenbach (Maskew Miller Longman 2008)
Short chapters, brisk storytelling, uncomplicated language – about that simple, over-complicated process called growing-up. Jesse is at a high school in Cape Town with an African pal, a pretty girl-friend and an inquisitive younger sister. Life is fairly predictable until he gets mugged. Hospital, unexpected emotions, police. It’s not a block-buster but it is a realistic, enjoyable piece of storytelling – and accessible to second-language readers. (Notes and study guides at the back.)

LILA AND THE SECRET OF RAIN by David Conway & Judy Daly (Tafelberg 2008 – first published Frances Lincoln 2007) large pb
This is an elusive book. It reads like a Kenyan folktale though even the writing is touched in and suggested. No heavy sentences. Judy Daly’s artwork is vast and spacious and at times almost empty, as earth and sky meet, and the burning sun brings tears of rain. Gently, yet powerfully, moving.
J Rating *

MANDI AND THE MOONSTONES by Nicole Levin, illustrated by Alzette Prins (Shuter & Shooter 2008)
A new story, created in the folklore tradition telling how the great shining moon once fell to earth, shattering into moonstones. But the Inyanga people were now left in darkness, even if their moonstone necklaces glowed. It needed the wisdom of a child, Mandi, to suggest that they stick the moonstones together again and put the moon back in the sky. Lovely, vibrant storytelling – super to read aloud – though I’m not wild about the rather hazy illustrations.

MEALIES AND BEANS by Maryanne Bester, illustrated by Shayle Bester (Jacana 2008)
A cattle-peopled picture book showing MEALIES AND BEANS being grown and made into delicious soup. Lightly enjoyable, with a recipe at the end.
J Rating *

MLOZI THE ANIMAL WIZARD, Tales from East Africa, by Erika Johnston, illustrated by Rosemary Banfield (Struik 2008) pb
Apart from Kilimanjaro sticking its head up in the lively line-drawings by Rosemary Banfield, it isn’t particularly East African. Mlozi is a tiny magical creature with an elephant’s trunk, hooves and a curly tail. He has the ability to allow Dudu, our boy hero, to tune in on animal conversations and the two of them have various amusing “adventures” in the bush. The problem, for me, is that the author hasn’t made her mind up whether to write a reality book full of accurate wildlife information or a fun book full of talking animals. Though the stories do introduce the reader to the wildlife of Africa, it’s “picture postcard Africa”, all a bit too light-hearted.

MY FIRST BOOK OF SOUTHERN AFRICAN MAMMALS by Peter Apps, illustrated by Jennifer Schaum (Struik 2008) large pb
Companion to a similar (and equally good) book on Birds, this is indeed an ideal “First Book”. Uncomplex colour pictures show the mammals from elephant to whale. Line diagrams indicate spoor, diet, comparative size and day or night-time activity. Straightforward text comes in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu. Attractive, inviting and rewarding.
J Rating **

NELSON MANDELA, the Authorised Comic Book – Nelson Mandela Foundation with Umlando Wezithombe (Jonathan Ball)
Forget the word “comic”. Call it a graphic novel or strip cartoon, but there’s nothing comic in this respectful, well-researched, candid telling of Mandela’s life story. The problem is that so much of politics is full of words and it’s hard to illustrate these with interesting artwork. Much of the illustration is boxes of facts and people standing around arguing. But as I believe that the story of Nelson Mandela should be told in as many forms as possible, I welcome this careful and interesting book which is bound to attract more young readers than solid words can do.
 
OUT OF THE BOX by Nicole Levin, illustrated by Sandy Lightley (Shuter & Shooter 2008)
A pleasant picture-story book of the “I am Me” type, with George trying to fit himself into various-sized boxes. Gently satisfying, with happy, simple illustrations – though I think that the man who asks the puzzling question “What box do you fit into?” might have been pictured as a little more mysterious.

OXFORD SOUTH AFRICAN ILLUSTRATED SCHOOL DICTIONARY – for Grades 3-7 (Oxford)
Any dictionary from Oxford is bound to be reliable and produced with care. I applaud features such as showing the full alphabet on each page, providing sentences to show the word in use, occasional indication of word origin or usage. “South African” in that it includes words like braai and tackies, and has local examples (e.g. Madagascar and Robben Island are given as examples of islands). “Illustrated” in there are some pictures scattered around, though not really choosing what needs to be explained in picture form (e.g. there is an illustration of a computer which every child knows, instead of illustrating the next word concave). “School” in that there are charts of grammar and spelling rules and a few dictionary exercises. Too complex for a first dictionary but staunchly useful for middle primary grades.
J Rating *

Peter, Pamela and Percy in the BIG SPILL by Lulu & Tee (Published privately by Linda Fellowes 2008)
The wreck of the ship Treasure in June 2000 caused an oil slick that harmed thousands of sea birds. Amongst those who sympathised and helped were two mums from Kommetjie, Linda Fellowes (Lulu) who wrote the text for this book and Theresa Acker (known as Tee) who did the illustrations. The result is a cheerful picture book with drawings on top of grand colour photos of our coastline, and a verse text that wobbles a bit but relates the story of how SANCCOB and others helped to save the penguins. A happy, local book about a recurring local wildlife problem.

PENELOPE PORCUPINE by Acton Kaye, illustrated by Lyn De La Motte (Acton Kaye)
This is a lightly told, true story about having a porcupine for a pet in Cape Town. Pleasant line and colour drawings. Good for middle primary reading.

PROJECT H – a graphic novel (Wonjoolaai Studios 2008) [Author not stated.]
In essence, all books with any moral value are about the never-ending battle between Good and Evil. That’s true of the most basic fairy tales, the most psychological novels, the most complex Science Fiction. This graphic novel is set in Cape Town and begins with the conflict between a priest of God and his son. The son leaves home to fight his own war against Evil by becoming a no-holds-barred policeman. Then a charismatic atheist mind-bender comes on the scene and appears to create a better world, until our hero finds a trail leading to murder. This is a story firmly on the side of God and Goodness – and it’s a darned good story with some stunning dialogue, plenty of vivid action and clashes of character. In my opinion, the artwork isn’t very attractive: the figure- and face-drawing is not good, so that the characterisation tends towards being crude and unsympathetic. That’s honest comment – but so is my opinion that this is a strong, highly effective story which could have profound impact on the teenagers of today who so often lack a sense of direction.

READ ALONG WITH MIFFY by Dick Bruna (Biblionef & Pan Macmillan SA 2008)
Thanks to sponsorship from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, this has been published in all South African languages. It is as friendly as any Miffy book with the emphasis on learning a key vocabulary. So there are questions like “Miffy helps on the farm. What does she see on the farm?” which leads to such illustrated answers as chicken, pig, geese, sheep, cow – all in the simple, bold Dick Bruna style. Miffy also goes to the sea, a game reserve and a desert. This is one more excellent early reading book for all South African children, inspired by Biblionef.

SASHA THE LAB-INESE by Shaun Ebelthite, illustrated by Amirah Tajden (umSinsi Press 2008)
One suspects that this neatly written story, painting a picture of farm life in the Valley of a Thousand Hills, is based on true incidents. The danger, which the author doesn’t manage to avoid, is that “what really happened” becomes more important than “what would make the best story”. Sasha is a Pekinese who longs to be a Labrador (hence the title) but her adventures are described from the outside, looking at her and admiring her, so we never really get inside the point-of-view of a dog. Nevertheless, interesting reading for  mid-primary – where there is a huge gap in indigenous fiction. But why, when Sasha has a coat of “the purest white”, does the cover show her as brown?

SHARKEY’S SON by Gillian Dachada (Tafelberg 2008)
2007 Sanlam Gold Prize for Youth Literature
For a start, this has one of the best cover designs I’ve seen on any Sanlam winner – and there have been some shockers! The setting is the West Coast around Langebaan, and a convincing local atmosphere and cast list. Sharkey the fisherman has disappeared and it seems that his cottage has to be sold and his son, Grant, sent off to live in Cape Town. But Grant has other ideas. With the help of Smiley, another local lad, and Ally, daughter of a visiting professor, the mystery of Sharkey’s disappearance is worked out – with a cell phone playing a major role.
This is an excellent adventure story with realistic characters, mysteries to unravel, just a bit of love interest, and plenty of fairly vicious action. Detailed, introspective character-creation with excellent local scenery. One of the most enjoyable Sanlam winners for quite a time – and from a new author. Strength to her pen!
J Rating **

SIBO MAKES A DIFFERENCE by Ginny Stone (Lets Look cc 2008)
An attractive, large-paged picture story-book with verse text about Sibo: first learning at school about global warming, then at home moving the fridge out of the sun and persuading Dad not to drive his jeep so much. Plus “helpful hints to save energy”. The illustrations (by Raptor Creative) are bright and attractive, without much subtlety. The point of the story is sound, though the verse is laborious at times. Four other titles in the series.
Also available: SIBO AND THE VEGGIE BED, SIBO SAVES WATER, SIBO AND THE SEA and SIBO IN SPACE. 

SIYOLO’S JERSEY by Mari Grobler, illustrated by Elizabeth Pulles (Tafelberg 2008) large pb
Another glowing proof that simplicity creates focus and can steer home a winner! Siyolo has a large, old, favourite but fraying jersey. Elizabeth’s Pulles’ pictures are partly in wool collage which emphasizes how Siyolo gallantly gives away bits of wool to needy causes (the typography helps as well). By the end Siyolo is saying, “Now I am cold and my jersey is gone!” But a new one will come soon – and lots of people have been made happy. Think poverty. Think Xenophobia. Think Kindness of heart – and rejoice that there are still books as warming as this.
J Rating **

SQUADRON DOG by Acton Kaye (Acton Kaye 2008)
This Cape Town author is best known as “The Goose Man” but he doesn’t always write about geese. This dog story is something different. I’m a sucker for canine emotions – ever since Lassie Come Home – and SQUADRON DOG had me grabbing the tissues. It’s a shortish book, with a number of good colour photos of aircraft like those fabulous Spitfires, and a story of a fighter squadron. It’s full of the bravado and bluster of those “famous few” who fought in the Battle of Britain – and of the simple loyalty and affection between a man and his dog. Splendid stuff.
J Rating **

STARWISE, A beginner’s guide to the universe by Anthony Fairall (Struik)
Bursting with information, stunning photographs and helpful diagrams, this attractive book covers astronomical observation in South Africa, whips through our solar system and then launches into space. The author is authoritative and explanatory, but does rather take it for granted that every reader is as enthusiastic as himself. So this is not an easy introduction: some intelligence and reading ability is necessary. Hugely informative. I would have welcomed a few more anecdotes and lighter interest.

THE FOREST FAIRIES AND THE GREAT BATTLE by Margaret Roberts, illustrated by Jeanette Horn (Aardvark Press 2008) large pb
The concept is great: the magical spirits inside a South African forest rise up against an invading force of lorries and bulldozers. The woodcutters are dazzled and itched, stung by nettles and attacked by bees. A victory for evolution! But it’s all so neat and old-fashioned and boring. Also, it’s all in the plural: we can’t follow the actions of one mischievous fairy or one frustrated workman. The only single character is the Fairy King who looks – as do all the fairies – as if he has escaped from a pantomime production of Robin Hood. A few gauzy wings, but otherwise the all-white fairies are in neat medieval tunic and hose. What happened to Africa? No hint of the indigenous inventiveness that Fiona Moodie dreamed up for Fynbos Fairies. The author does supply some details of healing herbs and a few recipes at the end, but there’s no zest and vigour here – only a well-mannered, politely humorous tale of “Leave our forests alone.”

THE LEOPARDS OF SH’ONG by Paul Jaco (Human & Rousseau)
Human & Rousseau occasionally select some curious books for publication! (Though this isn’t as appalling as The Altar of Aberdare.) It’s a teenage adventure set in ‘Kwa-Violentia’ (presumably a pseudo-KZN) with a swirling cast of curious characters including a young leopard. The story has bravado, flamboyant multiculturalism, the search for identity, and bodies (human and animal) everywhere. There are frequent recollections, jumps in time, reported conversations – all making for a fractured storyline that is often bewildering. I have ploughed on through the 285 pages – and it’s hard work – still unsure what the book is actually about. The leopard-raising and training is interesting, but few of the characters came to life for me.

THE LONG TROUSERS, a South African picture book by Maryanne Bester, illustrated by Shayle Bester (from Jacana). Intriguingly, the main characters are Nguni cattle. LONG TROUSERS features a Platteland wedding with everyone too busy to help, though the love and the happiness is really there, after all. Thoroughly South African, lively storytelling and gorgeous cattle-family pictures.
J Rating *

THE MAGIC THAT’S OURS by Gary Hirson, illustrated by Dorothee van der Osten (Calm In Storm Productions 2007)
A large, bright, intelligent book that is difficult to classify. It looks like a colourful picture book, yet the pictures are deliberately vague and almost out-of-focus. The writing is easy, straightforward, direct, inviting enjoyment, and yet I feel the need for someone to read it out loud and share the thinking. A brother and sister go for a walk and find themselves meeting up with their own imagination. That sums up the whole story! Both writing and swirling artwork invite youngsters to have fun and use the magic of imagination. A few activity ideas are thrown in for good measure. I don’t think this is a book that children will adore as a story. I do think it is a book that every wise parent should have on the family bookshelf, particularly beside the bed at night.

THE MOUSEBOAT written & illustrated by Paddy Bouma (Tafelberg 2008) large pb
What a delightful quietly adventurous adventure! Delightful for young picture browsers. In a clear, crisp style with muted background scenery (oh so very gently French) the picture-story follows a mouse family on a river boating holiday. Quite peaceful until the loud Raver-Rats arrive, disturbing the peace and dramatically heading towards the weir. The situation – and the boat – is saved. And young readers have picked up quite a bit of incidental knowledge about locks, boats and semaphore. More in this series, please!
J Rating **

THE SINGING CHAMELEON by Gcina Mhlophe, illustrated by Kalle Becker (Songololo 2008) HB
Anyone who has heard storyteller Gcina Mhlophe in action will know that she uses – as the best African storytellers do – an enchanting mixture of words and movement and song. This traditional tale from Malawi is rich with action and emotion, and the song sung by the once lonely chameleon is a vital part of the story. So it is tough on the young reader that the song itself is given in Malawian (or is it in Gcina’s own Zulu?) with once a translation into rather dull English. It’s a good story but it needs Gcina telling it. Kalle Becker’s large illustrations feel a bit flat and lacking in vigour. No music there either.
 
THE SQUEAKY, CREAKY BED by Pat Thomson, illustrated by Niki Daly (Songololo) large pb
Put together a British book expert and a South African illustrator, both of them knowing what they are doing – and the result is a delicious read-aloud picture-book with the kind of build up towards ultimate disaster which children adore – and an ending which nobody will guess. The text is sheer enjoyment; the pictures share the chaotic anticipation. Wait till you see Grandfather’s pyjamas! Nothing deep or pondersome here. Just a gorgeous story which children will clamour for as bedtime reading again and again and again.
J Rating **

THE UGLIEST ANIMAL IN ALL THE WORLD by Jenny Robson, illustrated by Adam Truscott (Tafelberg)
This African animal picture book by an experienced author and an illustrator new to me uses one of the oldest themes in the repertoire: “I’m different but proud of it”. No other animal wants to play with the warthog – except another warthog. Their reflections in the river show their reality. Uncomplex storytelling and an illustrator whose main problem is that the warthog can’t look too ugly or children won’t like it! Otherwise, Adam Truscott provides clear line and colour, plenty of humour and an African landscape which is, for once, genuine.
J Rating * 

THIS BABY / BUSY BABY both by Carole Bloch, illustrated by Bev De Meyer (Songololo) board books
Heralded as the first board books to be published in English, Afrikaans, Zulu and Xhosa, these are a lot more than just cute pictures of babies. As one would expect, the babies are a careful mixtures of cultures and genders. They are clear on the page and relevant to South African families. Above all, I applaud the activities chosen: these babies look and listen, they observe such things as insects on aloes, they are being read to. Books and babies together at the earliest age. Applauded and recommended.
J Rating ***
 
TUMI AND TASHA FROM SONQUA’S HOEK FARM by Rosanne Banghart, illustrated by Corné Hurter (Parable Publishing) large pb
Bright and attractive, with full page illustrations of line and coloured inks. A bit flat and 2-dimensional, but the line is positive and full of local farm details. The story (told in verse text which rhymes vaguely) is rather pointless. Two girls, one white, one black, go off for a swim in the river. That’s all. The white girl with a pony and a big house is obviously richer; the black girl with a bike and a mother who milks cows, clearly poorer. Old or new South Africa?
 
WE’RE HAVING A PARTY! by Wendy Hartmann, illustrated by Alzette Prins (Human & Rousseau 2008) large pb
Happy and frolicsome! Verse text romps along with a small boy looking forward to his party. Unfortunately, all the local wild animals want to come as well for the wrong reason. Who is going to be eating what? But Mother has the right answer – as mothers always do. Plenty of vigour and humour in Alzette Prins’ airy water-colours. Lovely to read aloud many times.
J Rating **

WHAT A GENTLEMAN! by Dianne Case, illustrated by Jo Harvey (reissued Maskew Miller Longman 2008) HB
First published by Kwagga Press in 1997, this is a bright picture book about Nelson Mandela as told by a grandmother to a grandchild. A few photographs are worked into the wacky, colourful illustrations. It’s a happy, cheerful tribute to a great South African. (Though I’m not easy with the implication of the last lines of text.)

WHAT’S THAT BUTTERFLY? by Steve Woodhall (Struik) pb
A starter’s guide to butterflies of South Africa
Get ready for some new words in your vocabulary. You know, of course, that bird-watchers are called “twitchers” but did you know that twitchers have a word for that instant identification of a bird by its general shape and size and behaviour? It’s called “jizz”. Steve Woodhall borrows this word and starts by setting out the basic jizz of the most common butterfly types. Mercifully, butterflies move slightly slower than birds! There’s a lot of reading in the introductory chapters, but after that the excellent colour photos make it easier and more enchanting. Upper primary children could have fun with this book, but so would the whole family. A high quality publication, reliable and delightful.
J Rating **

WILL & JOE AND THE GREAT PIRATE RESCUE by Helen Brain, illustrated by Vian Oelofsen (Human & Rousseau)
“And the terrible truth dawned on him. He had been macarooned on a dessert island.” That’s a quick sample of the ghastly puns and delicious child-sized humour in Helen Brain’s latest. Two enterprising lads are made to walk the plank by the revolting Captain Bumshott – and after that, anything can happen, and does. Swash-buckling, highly impossible adventures to delight the least adventurous imagination. We don’t have enough funny books in our local literature. This rollicking story, adorned with nifty drawings by Vian Oelofsen, should be hugely welcome.
J Rating * 

These reviews are © Jay Heale.

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