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”.