Johnny Danger: Lie another Day

Johnny Danger: Lie another Day by Peter Millet (Puffin Books) PB RRP $14.99

Reviewed by Dianne Bates

Wow, this is a busy book with so much happening that at times I must confess I wasn’t really sure what was happening. The action is certainly fast-paced with the ultimate goal of the protagonist and friends saving the planet from Weapons of Gas Destruction (there is a major farting antagonist, The Blank Space). The book abounds with slapstick humour and features some wacky secondary character such as Major Pain, Dr Disastrous and Agent Pounds.

Jonathan Dangerfield, boy wonder, aka Johnny Danger, is joined by his spy team, Tim Lee and Penelope Pounds as they head off to a remote Amazonian jungle village to confront old foes. Using crazy gadgets and with numerous references to computers and social media, they also employ bungee bogies in their quest.

This a book for readers (probably boys) aged 9+ years who enjoy adventure and lots of nonsense with battles between secret spies, eccentric and mad villains, and double agents. Oh, and there is also an annoying brother, school scenes and numerous codes to be broken. There is plenty here to engage readers.

My Dead Bunny

My Dead Bunny by Sigi Cohen, illustrated by James Foley (Walker Books)

HC RRP $19.95

ISBN 9781922179593

Reviewed by Anastasia Gonis

In time for Halloween comes the story of Brad the zombiefied bunny in rollicking rhyming verse. It all starts one night when the boy and his two friends are watching a Zombie movie. Bunny Brad obviously bored, decides to gnaw through the electrical cord with obvious results.

Naturally the boy is broken-hearted at the loss of his pet. He’s told by dad about Bunny heaven but needs to see for himself if bunny’s all right down there in the dirt. So he digs him up with traumatic results for the family.

This somewhat gruesome tale for the 8+ years age groups will appeal to boys with a skewered sense of humour or a bent towards zombies and such. Its clever use of words combined with outstanding digitally created illustrations that accentuate the text, will have them in stitches. Not your traditional children’s picture book, but a none-the-less superb production. The expressions on the character’s faces run in perfect sync to the text.  Presented mostly in black and white except for the scenes with Brad the bunny, it is an entertaining read which I can see being passed around under desks at school.

Harvey Drew and the Bling Bots

Harvey Drew and the Bling Bots by Cas Lester, illustrator Sam Hearn (Hot Key Books)
PB RRP $12.95
ISBN 978-1-4714-0248-7
Reviewed by Jacque Duffy

 This is a very clever follow-up to Harvey Drew and the Bin Men from Outer Space,

perfect for boys age 7 -10, and chocker-block full of writing to induce belly-aching laughter.

 Thanks to the cover illustration I was reaching for this book wanting to know more about the boy running from the aliens. Speaking of aliens, the narrator in the story worked very hard to keep the reader up to date with space information in a, “If you don’t want to know more about… stop reading now”, kind of way -- very funny indeed. The narrator constantly teases the reader and keeps the story flowing.

Harvey is the captain of the Toxic Spew, a garbage-collecting spaceship in Galaxy 43b. He has no experience of being a ship’s captain as he is an Earthling and only 10 years old. He and his crew of strange, yet wonderfully portrayed … umm… people face challenges not every human child would ever encounter but could easily relate to.

The layout of the book is clean and easy to follow. Hearn’s illustrations are a big part of the book and keep the story flowing nicely giving affirmation to the younger reader who may be a little unsure. Each black and white illustration is strong and appears to be full of life and colour.

 This story is completely entertaining yet supports real life problems .i.e. space trash. Lester has included an interesting interview with a space specialist in regards to the clean-up operation being undertaken to remove space trash.

Young readers will enjoy this book.

Jacque Duffy is the author and illustrator of the series ‘That’s not a …” learn to read books used in all Queensland State Primary Schools, The Bear Said Please picture book and one local history coffee table book.

www.jacquesartandbooks.com