Mango and Bambang The Not-a-Pig

Title: Mango and Bambang The Not-a-Pig
Author: Polly Faber
Illustrator: Clara Vulliamy
Publisher: Walker Books
Published: 2015
Format: Hardback
Source: My own copy

This is the first book to be released by Polly Faber as well as the first book in the “Mango & Bambang” series. It contains illustrations by Clara Vulliamy and its sequel “Mango & Bambang: Tapir All At Sea” has recently been released.

 

The book contains four short stories, starting with the time Mango Allsorts saves a tapir named Bambang who is quivering on a zebra crossing, causing a traffic jam. From then on, they get into all sorts of exciting adventures around the city, including at the swimming pool and at a concert hall. All of these stories are very entertaining and involve a lot of humour in them that people of all ages can enjoy. There are plenty of memorable characters in the cast including the titular characters themselves, the evil collector Cynthia Prickle-Posset and George, a boy who loves sweets but hates baths. Whilst Mango saves Bambang at the start of the book it soon becomes obvious that he has also changed her life for the better as well. This is a story about the value of true friends and the difference they make to each other's lives.

 

The pictures have a classical look to them that reminded me a little bit of “Milly Molly Mandy” and Bambang looks endearing in them, especially when wearing one of his beloved hats. Mango and Bambang have particularly expressive faces that tell you everything you need to know about their personalities. One lift of an eyebrow and you know exactly how they are feeling. Additionally, a simplistic colour palette consisting of purple, black and white has been used that helps to grab the attention of the reader.

 

I absolutely loved these short stories and I hope you do too. The writing and characters helped to draw my attention in as well as the fun illustrations on every page. The book is perfect for young children starting to read alone for the first time, bridging the gap between picture books and longer stories. I can't wait to read its sequel and any other books that Faber and Vulliamy have to offer in the future.

 

 

 

 

The Island

Title: The Island

Author: Olivia Levez
Publisher: Rock the Boat
Publication date: March 2016
Format: Paperback
Source: ARC

Having read a couple of books from Rock the Boat last year I jumped at the chance to receive one of their new books to review. I chose “The Island” because I read “Lord of the Flies” for my GCSE and thought it would be interesting to compare the two.

Frances, “only people I like call me Fran”, has done something terrible. So terrible that, in her own words, she is a monster. She has been given the chance of joining a new project for first time offenders, working with communities on a remote Indonesian island rebuilding their environment whilst learning survival skills. However the tiny plane carrying the group to the island crashes into the sea during a storm. Frances survives the crash and lands alone, or so she thinks, on a deserted island. Having failed to pay attention during the training sessions she struggles at first, but soon discovers an inner strength which helps her to survive and also to come to terms with her past.

At first Frances comes across as an unsympathetic character. She is rude and aggressive to everyone around her, appearing to take pleasure in hurting those who are trying to help her. Then, as the story flashes back and forth, we start to learn about her life before she lands on the island and what has made her into the monster she believes herself to be. As she starts to develop her survival skills she becomes the person she could have been if she had been given a better start in life. There are still flashes of the old aggressive Frances, but these happen less often. She begins to come to terms with what has happened to her and finally has hope for her future.

I loved this book. The writing is poetical and so beautiful. Each chapter is short, sometimes only a couple of lines, but tells you more in a few words than great long paragraphs could. As you get to know Frances you can't help but feel sympathy for her and want her to do well. I so wanted her to make it back so she could have a fresh start back with her beloved little brother. However Levez doesn't take the easy, more obvious options. Some people may be disappointed that there isn't a neat tidy ending, but I think the book is much better for it. I would have felt let down if it had ended any other way. I can't wait to read what Levez has to offer us in the future.

Timmy Failure Mistakes Were Made

Title: Timmy Failure Mistakes Were Made
Author: Stephan Pastis
Publisher:  Walker
Published: 2013
Format: Paperback
Source: My own copy

This is the first book in the "Timmy Failure" series. There are another three books in the shops already and a fifth on the way later this year.

Timmy is the head of the detective agency Failure, Inc. and aims to achieve success as a detective, but many obstacles stand in his way, including his mother, his grumpy teacher Old Man Crocus and, most of all, his own ego. The characters are very amusing and Timmy, who owns a pet polar bear that he calls Total, reminds me of the eponymous Calvin from “Calvin And Hobbes”. Being a big fan of this comic strip, this made Timmy an engaging and funny character to me from the start. Other characters that play an important role in the story and that I found amusing include his friend Rollo, his unwanted admirer Molly Moskins and his nemesis Corrina Corrina, who also runs a detective agency. Furthermore, the illustrations that accompany the story are drawn in a cartoon style similar to Stephan Pastis' comic strip “Pearls Before Swine” and fit really well with the text. I feel that children and their parents will like these pictures and find them appealing, adding to their enjoyment of the text.

Overall, I found this to be an extremely funny book and just as hilarious as “Pearls Before Swine”. The storyline features several wacky hi-jinks, the characters are amusing and the pictures will appeal to all. This is a must-read if you enjoy books that make you laugh out loud, especially if you are a fan of “Pearls Before Swine” and “Calvin And Hobbes”.