Trouble in Toadpool
by
Anne Fine
Illustrated by Kate Aldous
A welcome return for Fine’s happy, hapless and immensely entertaining Mountfield family, who this time are commandeered by the dreaded Aunt Susan to drop everything and help with the show she’s organising. The Mountfields are an interesting assortment of eccentric characters, from formidable Great-Granny to irrepressible Uncle Tristram, by way of Titania, the lisping show-off cousin, and Uncle Dudley, the disaster-waiting-to-happen. Ralph, our slightly insecure hero, perpetually wearing his beloved rabbit slippers, sets out to avoid his Aunt Susan-alloted fate, but ends in saving the show - whilst discovering some surprising strengths amongst the family along the way.
Perfectly illustrated by Kate Aldous, Trouble in Toadpool is enormous fun, giving a 21st century twist to the ever-popular genre of gentle domestic comedy.
Publisher: Doubleday Children's Books
-
Anne Fine
Children's Laureate 2001-2003
Born in the Midlands, Anne Fine studied politics and history before publishing her first children's book The Summer House Loon, in 1978. Since then, she has written books for both children and adults, including the award-winning Flour Babies, Bill's New Frock and The Tulip Touch. Her book Goggle-Eyes won the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize (1990) and was adapted for BBC Television; and Madame Doubtfire was filmed by Twentieth Century Fox as 'Mrs Doubtfire', starring Robin Williams.As the second Children's Laureate (2001-2003) Anne campaigned to raise the profile of public libraries, as well as launching the My Home Library Scheme, encouraging children to build their own libraries at home.
Find out more about Anne Fine at her website or at the Contemporary Writers website.
http://www.annefine.com
More like this
Reading Age: 8+
Interest level: 7+
Send an e-card
