Review: There's a Stinky Goblin in the Shed by Andrea Kaczmarek

THERE'S A STINKY GOBLIN IN THE SHED

by Andrea Kaczmarek

Illustrated by Eva Künzel

Middle Grade Fantasy

88 pages

ages 8 to 12

Jerry and Jacob clean out Gran’s old garden shed to make a den, but on their first late-night walk in the woods behind it, they come across a very strange, grubby little person and their problems begin. A small pile of rags that can talk! The boys want to run away fast, but they take pity on the strange creature. They promise to try and get it back to its own world – GoblinLand.

Hiding a goblin in their den is a full time job. But in the end they find out that Hob had upset an elf, could that be the clue they need? But if the twins think that helping out their grubby goblin friend is the end of the story – they are very very wrong! Once you have let one goblin into your life…..the goblin door has opened!

MY TIDBITS

Goblins are stinky. Goblins can't be trusted. Goblins are greedy. Especially when it gets into a shed! This is a fun story which mixes reality with a tad bit of fantastical silliness to create an adorable adventure.

Jerry and Jacob have actually convinced Grandma to let them borrow her shed for the summer as a clubhouse. They clean it out - lots of work! - and are even allowed to camp in it for the night. When strange noises after dark lead them to a lost goblin, the adventures begin.

What a fun read! Jerry and Jacob are two boys who simply want a clubhouse of their own--a dream many kids can sympathize with. They are pretty level headed, nice kids who get themselves in a bit of a pickle with a creature they aren't sure how to handle. But their kindness shines through as well as a load of patience. It's hard not to like the two as they scamper with ideas and ways to handle a pesky, stinky goblin.

The goblin, Hob, is a handful and brings a smile to the face. He isn't evil but gets into trouble. The antics are funny, and it's hard to guess what will happen next. He's a character to love.

There's a nice added twist about half way through, which throws the tale in a slightly different direction and gets even the Grandma involved. I love the way she handles things, a way only loving grandmas could. The kindness, warm-heartedness and understanding shines between all of the nonsense making this a read which puts a smile on the face in so many ways.

To liven up the pages, simple but lovely illustrations add an extra douse of humor. It is fun to run across them, especially when the depicted characters hold up a sign with their own comments, ones which cause a giggle or two. Hanging around 85 pages, this isn't a heavy read and won't scare even more reluctant readers away.

Summed up, this is an enjoyable adventure with a little bit of quirky fun, which is perfect for kids ages eight and up.


All about the author!

Born in Wales. Teacher training in Weymouth - married with two grown up children - and now grandmother to three amazing and clever kids. I was a Town Councillor for many years in Hamm with a great interest in integration and education. Today I still work on the Committee for Special Needs and I am Chair of the World of Reading - Lese Welt Hamm - bringing books and stories to children! I still organise art and English projects at my old school - great fun working with children from many different backgrounds. Children who enjoy stories and reading have a good start in life!

Review: Puddle's Wondrous Worry Dolls by Andrea Kaczmarek

PUDDLE'S WONDROUS WORRY DOLLS

by Andrea Kaczmarek

dpdotcom digital publishing

Chapter Book

ages 7+

46 pages

Jemima - Puddle to her friends - helps out in her Mum’s shop and discovers Worry Dolls, pretty paper dolls in bright cotton pouches.

Puddle has never heard of Worry Dolls and her Mum explains that they make your worries fly away. While they are talking, a box of Worry Dolls spookily falls off the table and Puddle scrabbles around picking them all up – when Puddle gets home she finds that one of those bags had fallen into her pocket. But these Worry Dolls are nothing like the shop ones –these are very very different - cool funky Worry dolls in a rainbow pouch. Puddle is pretty puzzled, did her Mum slip them into her pocket? But she gives them a worry to solve just for fun – what happens next makes Puddle even more puzzled.

Puddle and her best friend Ally have plenty of problems at school -with three bullies who make everyone’s life a misery. Like all bullies they pick on the younger kids who can’t stand up for themselves. Their unkind names are a pain, but one day they go too far, so Puddle and Ally decide that it is time to teach them a lesson – together with her wondrous new friends - those Funky Worry Dolls, Puddle and Ally come up with some wonderful, but naughty, ideas.

Not only the school bullies get a taste of their own medicine – other crazy things happen,

Puddle and Ally save some bedraggled kittens. Puddle succeeds in a maths test, now that is a miracle! Puddle’s project group is a big success…..why not read it and find out?

Cool and just a bit creepy – those Wondrous Worry Dolls fell into Puddle’s life and shake things up!

MY TIDBITS

This is a lovely story, which addresses a topic kids will easily relate to while throwing an interesting bit from a foreign culture in as well.

When Puddle (aka Jemima) runs across a set of paper dolls known as Worry Dolls, her life takes a sudden turn. With her best friend Ally, she deals with bullies and other problems...and it seems as if the Worry Dolls might be helping out in their own way.

Years ago, I was introduced to Worry Dolls and found the idea of casting your worries onto little paper dolls sweet in it's own way. So when I received the chance to dive into a story about them, there was no way I could refuse.

This book aims for beginning readers before they slide into full fledged chapter books. The writing is fairly easy to follow, while keeping the plot up at a great pace. The chapters are relatively short, offering many possibilities to stop and take a break before continuing on, so that this age bracket doesn't risk feeling over-whelmed by a 'bigger' book. There are illustrations scattered between the text, which help break things up--something I'm always glad to see.

Puddle is an interesting, young girl who's as normal as any other kid. Her actions and decisions are completely understandable, and it's no problem to see her as a good friend. The problems she has are ones that kids can easily relate to and her ways of approaching them will make readers think and smile.

Although the story is set in reality, the Worry Dolls offer a lovely pinch of magic while introducing an idea from another culture, which kids are sure to enjoy. The reasoning/story behind these Worry Dolls doesn't appear until after the first pages, which made for a bit of a rough beginning. But when they are explained, it's done nicely. There are a few messages mixed in with the adventure, but these sink in well with the story and never feel preachy.

In other words, there are many things to enjoy in this story. Especially readers between the ages of 7 to 10 will sympathize with Puddle and will probably want to have a set of Worry Dolls of their own.


And here she is. . .

ANDREA KACZMAREK!!!

Now a retired teacher and enjoying myself writing middle grade stories...

I was born in Wales and did my teacher training in Weymouth - married with two grown up children - and now grandmother to three amazing and clever kids.

I was a Town Councillor for many years in Hamm for the Green Party, with a great interest in integration and education. Today I still work on the Committee for Special Needs and I am the Chair of the World of Reading - Lese Welt Hamm – a charity bringing books and stories to children!

I still organize art and English projects at my old school -it is great fun working with children from many different backgrounds. I get a lot of my story ideas from school life!

My motto has always been - children who enjoy stories and reading have a good start in life!