Children's Book review

Grubtown Tales: Stinking Rich and Just Plain Stinky

By Philip Ardagh

Published by Faber Children's Books

Welcome to Grubtown, where the eccentric residents are desperately trying to banish local stinker, Manual Org!  

With gloopy, greasy locks and green shots growing from his ears, Manual’s odorous stench is angering the people of Grubtown. It falls to official duck-gather Jilly Cheater to break the news to Manual. 

However, when Jilly and Mango Claptrap discover a gargantuan diamond, they begin to piece together the truth about Manual Org and his filthy habits. 

The first book in the series of Grubtown Tales, this whimsical story combines outlandish characters and witty narrative with comical illustrations which reveal the true extent of Grubtown’s grubbiness. 

A valuable lesson about overcoming fear and the acceptance of others, cleverly weaves through this fantastically filthy tale!

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Illustrator: Jim Paillot
Reading age: 7+
Interest level: 7+