Author: Andy Stanton
Illustrator: David Tazzyman
Genre: Humour, Nonsense
Illustrator: David Tazzyman
Genre: Humour, Nonsense
Age Range: 7+
Theme/Subject: Good versus Evil,
Publisher: Egmont
ISBN: 9781405228176
Synopsis:
Mr. Gum is up to his dastardly tricks again ! This time he is enlisting the help of a windmill ! Well, an evil spirit trapped within a power-infused windmill. If Mr. Gum can gather the power-crystals in time and store them within the windmill then all of Lamonic Bibber is doomed. Only Polly, Old Granny and Alan Taylor (the Gingery-type bread being) can stop them…oh, and a donkey named Barcelona Jim.
Review:
I read this book shortly after the ‘Goblins’ one and although that one was funnier, ‘Mr. Gum and the Power Crystals’ is actually funny but with the a worrying hint of a story trying to creep in through the door in the background. Again, all the elements of what makes Stanton so funny are here: a ridiculous story idea, hilarious conversations (I particularly liked Nicholas de Twinklecakes) and the welcoming play on the English language and all its pot-holes. Examples are numerous, from the huge range of text-sizes and font-styles to sweet play on words:
‘With a grimace, Polly took the coloured stones from her skirt pocket. She could not believe she had once thought them beautiful like a goose on a hill. They had brought nothing but trouble and now she could barely bear to bear them in her bare hands.’
See. Silly. And that’s the milder stuff.
Stanton’s ‘silly’ humour will appeal to struggling readers who need something really short and easy to read, as well as a book small in size with a simple and engaging storyline. The pace is quick and therefore short amount of reading will seem rewarding. This series allows reluctant readers to see that some stories are allowed to be fun, quirky and nonsensical.I would recommend this book to readers who like a touch of the ridiculous as well as those who might have not gotten into reading on a regular basis. The light-hearted humour of these books consistently bring a smile to my face and help me understand that the world doesn’t always have to be as serious as I often
‘With a grimace, Polly took the coloured stones from her skirt pocket. She could not believe she had once thought them beautiful like a goose on a hill. They had brought nothing but trouble and now she could barely bear to bear them in her bare hands.’
See. Silly. And that’s the milder stuff.
Stanton’s ‘silly’ humour will appeal to struggling readers who need something really short and easy to read, as well as a book small in size with a simple and engaging storyline. The pace is quick and therefore short amount of reading will seem rewarding. This series allows reluctant readers to see that some stories are allowed to be fun, quirky and nonsensical.I would recommend this book to readers who like a touch of the ridiculous as well as those who might have not gotten into reading on a regular basis. The light-hearted humour of these books consistently bring a smile to my face and help me understand that the world doesn’t always have to be as serious as I often
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