Friday Old Favourite
This book is hard to read (for an adult) because it is filled with utterly disgusting 'stuff'. On the other hand this book is a winner with young kids.
Quentin does not enjoy the fresh lunch his mother lovingly prepares for him each day. She goes to so much trouble but this horrible boy puts the lunch boxes in the family shed and leaves them there for many weeks. Each day he takes a old lunch to school. He enjoys the matured flavours but the other kids in his class are horrified.
Hold onto your stomach - here is a text quote:
"He opened up his bag that day to see what goodies in it lay. And soon he'd set about to eat a huge banana, black as peat. The middle part had gone all gucky, so Quentin (doubtless feeling lucky) peeled back the skin, then with a grin, he puckered up and sucked it in."
I'm sure this text quote is making you feel quite ill but can I assure you this is not the worst scene. Quentin does find a live rat in his lunch and that is the scene that will truly horrify you, and delight your class! The final scene where Quentin explodes is hilarious. I should also warn you about the cockroaches!
This book comes from a series (now long out of print) called Crazy Tales published by ABC Books (1999-2001) here in Australia. These may no longer be in school libraries because the paperback copies have probably badly discoloured. Here are some other titles from the Crazy Tales series by well known Australian authors such as Phil Cummings; Emily Rodda; Duncan Ball; Richard Tulloch; and Max Fatchen all with illustrations by Stephen Axelsen. I think a publisher should consider bringing these funny books back into print. They are simple to read thanks to the clever rhyming text, their very funny characters, and they are filled with terrific large illustrations perfect for readers aged 8+ who will delight in all the 'yuck and muck'.
No comments:
Post a Comment