The British are coming ... Again!

Tom Gates; Excellent Excuses (and Other Good Stuff). Written and illustrated by Liz Pichon. Candlewick Press, 2015.

While Paul Revere is probably rolling in his grave, Pichon's American fans will be rolling over with laughter as they read the next book in the hilarious saga of British fifth grader, Tom Gates.

Those who read Pichon’s first book, The Brilliant World of Tom Gates, will find that Tom, now on a two week break, is still up to his usual hijinks: finding new and improved ways of annoying his sister, Delia, devising the most ingenious excuses to get out of troublesome situations, eating his favorite snacks (caramel wafers), doodling, and hanging out with his best mate (friend), Derek.

Tom’s biggest hope is to find a drummer for his band, DOGZOMBIES and secure the band’s first gig. But in typical Tom Gates fashion, there’s a whole lot of everyday life-and his reaction to it-swirling around:  a bad tooth, his prank-playing cousins, the ongoingt rivalry with class smarty pants, Marcus, and the field trip from hell.  Oh, and as Mr. Fullerman, his teacher, keeps reminding him, there's still an overdue homework assignment to turn in. To give Tom a little incentive, Mr. Fullerman (who's wise to this procrastinating day dreamer) has sent one of his prize worthy, tongue-in-cheek notes home to his parents ...

 Visit Good Reads with Ronna to see the full review and links to great resources on the author and the series. Review based on advance reader copy.

Big Nate; great minds think alike by Lincoln Pierce. Amp! Comics for Kids/Andrews McNeel Publishing, 2014. $9.99 paperback. Recommended for ages 8-12.

That mischievous boy with a winning personality is back in a new compilation of colorful comic strips. Nate has a lot of big ideas for fun and achieving fun and greatness and tries his hand at Suduko, life skills coaching, painting, and  ... See my full review at Good Reads with Ronna

Series Review:

The Timmy Failure series written and illustrated by Stephen Pastis and published by Candlewick Press.

Recommended for ages 8-12.

Introducing “the greatness that is Timmy Failure,” world class detective.

Move over Inspector Jacques Clouseau, author/illlustrator Stephan Pastis has created your youthful equivalent in a humorous series about an overly-confident and hilariously clueless detective who  dreams of taking his neighborhood detective agency global. Unfortunately there are some obstacles: his mother-who insists he goes to school, school-where he’s not doing so well, Rollo-his less than brilliant best friend, and Total- his 1500 pound polar bear partner. A polar bear for a partner? Yes, after hooking up with Timmy, Total  insisted that the agency name start with his. Hence the less than inspirational  agency name of “Total Failure.” (Timmy Fayleure’s name was changed to Failure).

See my full review at Good Reads with Ronna