The Willoughby's Return by Lois Lowry

"Many years before - thirty years to be exact - Mr and Mrs Willoughby had embarked on an extended vacation (they used the Reprehensible Travel agency), leaving their four children hehind. They didn't like the children very much (and to be honest, the children didn't like them, either), and so it was not a tragedy for them to be separated. But it would have been illegal for them to leave the children all alone (the eldest Tim, was just twelve). To keep things on the up and up, Mr Willoughby had advertised for a nanny."

It is now thirty years later. So much has happened. Tim is the boss of a successful candy company, he has a son called Ritchie. BUT the US congress have just banned candy following lobbying by the American Dental Association. The other three children are now adults, living in other parts of the US and all three have happy, but very different lives. Mr and Mrs Willoughby have been frozen in the Swiss alps all these years but now they have deforested. They are still the most unpleasant people you could ever meet and show no remorse for their treatment of their children. It is time for them to return but so much has changed.

This book is such a fun romp but I do think you will enjoy it even more if you can find and read the first instalment before rejoining the mayhem of the Willoughbys.

Blurb from the first book: The Willoughby children—Timothy, twins Barnaby A and Barnaby B, and their sister Jane—are fond all old-fashioned things, but especially old-fashioned adventures. What they aren't fond of, however, are their parents. Truth be told, their parents aren't the fondest of them, either, and they're concocting an evil plan to get rid of their children once and for all! Both parents and children have plenty of dastardly ideas and tricks up their sleeves. The only thing they don't have is any idea of what lies between them and a happily-ever-after.

Blurb from the second book: Although they grew up as wretched orphans, the Willoughby siblings also became heirs to the the Melanoff candy company fortune. Everything has turned out just splendidly, except for one problem: Richie Willoughby, son of Timothy Willoughby, is an only child and is quite lonely. Winifred and Winston Poore have long admired the toys of their neighbour Richie Willoughby and finally befriend the mysterious boy next door. But just as Richie finally begins to make friends, selling sweets is made illegal, and the family's fortune is put in jeopardy. To make matters worse, Richie's horrible Willoughby grandparents—frozen atop a Swiss mountain thirty years ago—have thawed, remain in perfect health, and are making their way home again. What is the point of being the reclusive son of a billionaire when your father is no longer a billionaire What is the future without candy in it And is there any escaping the odiousness of the Willoughbys.

Listen to an audio sample here. 

The threads of the story, with various tales of parents gone missing, fortunes lost or never found, and good luck in the end, are gathered most satisfactorily and warmheartedly. Highly amusing. Kirkus

If you enjoy the two Willoughby books you are sure to also enjoy A Series of Unfortunately events and by chance I have just started reading Leeva at Last by Sara Pennypacker - a book that would be simply perfect to read before or after the two Willoughby books.

One special feature of The Willoughbys return are the fun footnotes which often reference contemporary culture especially because Mr and Mrs Willoughby have missed all the innovations of the last thirty years. Words like uber, google, Brexit, HBO, satellite radio, Twitter, FaceTime and Skype are so confusing.

The real thief by William Steig

One lucky class at my school are participating in a simple pen pal project with some children from Pennsylvania.  Their generous teacher sent a box of goodies for the students which included some books for our school library.  I have talked about Dominic in a previous post which is a book their whole school will read and so the teacher sent me two more Steig titles - which is how I came to read The Real Thief.

Gawain the goose is appointed by the King to guard the royal treasure.

"He had been chosen for the post by King Basil the bear because of his upright and trustworthy character, and he had accepted because he couldn't possibly have refused.  He loved the rough, gruff, fatherly King. His heart warmed in the King's presence. He admired his strength. He loved the smell of honey on him, on his fur, on his robes, on his breath. He wanted to please him..."

Only two people hold the door key to this fortress - the King himself and Gawain.  Inside there are jewels, medallions, crowns, money and gems.

One day when the king goes to count his treasure he discovers there are only 8,643 rubies when there should be 8,672.  Who is to blame? Who is the thief?  Since it cannot be the King.  Gawain stands accused.  He is completely innocent but the judge at his unfair trial finds him guilty.  Gawain flees the court and hides away in a cave out in the countryside.  Meanwhile the real thief has a huge moral dilemma to resolve.  Should he confess or leave Gawain to suffer.

I read this short book in one sitting. It is a simple story which raises issues of important morality.  I especially love the way Steig uses such a rich vocabulary in his books.   Here are some of the wonderful words in this book :

unpretentious
aftermath
vindicated
malicious intent
inconsequential
pall of gloom
smitten

This book would be ideal for a deep philosophical discussion and here are some questions to help you gather your thoughts.