andy griffiths – Aussie Reviews

Laugh Your Head Off Again

I’m in the supermarket trying to remember what groceries mum wanted me to pick up, but I can’t think. I can’t breathe. I can’t do anything. i’m busting. And I don’t mean busting. I mean BUSTING!

Andy Griffiths’ hilarious tale of mishap after mishap when a boy finds himself busting for the toilet in the middle of a shopping trip is just one of nine stories by some of Australia’s best – and funniest – authors of young people in this hard cover bind-up for children.

Laugh Your Head off Again features nine humorous stories from authors including Griffiths, Sally Rippin, Morris Gleitzman and Frances Watts, in situations including a corn chip that looks like Justin Beiber, a seagull determined to steal the perfect footy pie, and a school camp on a llama farm. Each story is short enough to be enjoyed in a single sitting and is embellished with illustrations by Andrea Innoent.

Lots of fun for primary aged readers.

Laugh Your Head off Again
Pan Macmillan, 2016
ISBN 9781743549872

Andy G, Terry D, the Brave Tea-Lady and the Evil Bee, by Andy Griffiths & Terry Denton (ill)

One day while out walking
by the sea,
I saw a sign saying,
BEWARE OF THE BEE.
YOU’LL GET STUNG
UNLESS YOU FLEE!’

So begins a slapstick adventure in which Andy flees from the bee, soon followed by his friend Terry D, and a Tea-Lady. Cross country they god, finally taking refuge in a tree – but still the bee finds them. It is the quick-thinking tea-lady who saves them all.

Andy G, Terry D, the Brave Tea-lady and the Evil Bee is a humorous, silly rhyming tale reminiscent of Dr Seuss’s A Fly Went By, but perhaps even sillier. First published as part of Griffiths’ longer book The Cat on the Mat is Flat, this new format features colour illustrations and a larger format, making it suitable for beginning readers.

Also available is Ed and Ted and Ted’s Dog Fred.

Andy G, Terry D, the Brave Tea-lady and the Evil Bee

Andy G, Terry D, the Brave Tea-lady and the Evil Bee ISBN 9781742613017 and
Ed and Ted and Ted’s Dog Fred ISBN 9781742613000
Both by Andy Griffiths & illustrated by Terry Denton
Pan Macmillan, 2013

Available from good bookstores and online.

Once Upon a Slime by Andy Griffiths ill Terry Denton

1.Bad Mummy & Daddy cartoons

Some of my favourite characters in all of the books that Terry and I have created are Bad Mummy, Bad Daddy and the kid who always asks permission to do something really stupid and/or dangerous. Most normal parents would say no, but I wanted to play with the idea of parents who do the opposite, that is, say yes when they should say no. They then surprise us again when, instead of being upset at what happens to their child as a result of their bad parenting, they simply shrug and say, ‘Oops!’
Once Upon a Slime offers 45 ways to get writing … FAST! Griffiths uses the same conversational style as in his myriad titles to inspire young readers to become young writers. With illustrator, Terry Denton, he offers wild and wacky ways to write based on their work. Beginning with cartoons and ending with a Random Idea Generator, each chapter offers insight into how Griffith begins and continues his stories, then offers suggestions for writing activities. There’s Dos and Don’ts lists, free writing exercises with prompts, jar labels, How to Create a Monster and many, more. There are info boxes, cartoons, and illustrations on each page.

Once Upon a Slime is simply brilliant. Even the most reluctant writer will be drawn in and their imagination revealed via these writing prompts. For young writers, there’s an exercise for all their moods and inclinations. For teachers and parents, there’s support to get young writers over ‘white page fever’ that besets many. For writers for children, there’s a reminder to be child-like in creating work for young readers. And if you’re not in any of the aforementioned categories, there’s something for you too: a reminder of childhood, an insight into the minds of a very talented pair of creators. Aimed at middle primary readers, ‘Once Upon a Slime’ will be a hit with many more. Recommended for anyone who likes to mix crazy with their learning/teaching.

Once Upon a Slime

Once Upon a Slime, Andy Griffiths ill Terry Denton
Pan Macmillan 2013 ISBN: 9781742612096

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author

www.clairesaxby.com

Robot Riot, by Andy Griffiths

‘Once upon a time there was – and still is – a school called Northwest Southeast Central School.
Northwest Southeast Central School is located in the southeast of a town called Northwest, which is located to the northwest of a big city called Central City. You don’t need to know where Central City is, because it’s not important. What is important is the school. In this school there is a classroom. And in that classroom there is a fifth-grade class. Most important of all, in that fifth-grade class there is a student named Henry McThrottle who likes to tell stories.
That’s where I come in.
I’m Henry McThrottle…and this is my latest story.

Robot Riot! is book four in the ‘Schooling Around’ series from Andy Griffiths. In this instalment, narrator Henry McThrottle introduces the reader to Roberta Flywheel, new girl in school. She seems to be too good to be true. At first only Henry suspects there’s something not quite right about Roberta, but gradually he convinces his friends too. Henry is sure that Roberta is hiding something, and it seems like their wacky teacher Mr Brainfright might know more than he’s letting on. And it’s true, by the end of Robot Riot!, things have changed at Northwest Southwest Central School, and it’s not just the students. Added extras include stickers and information about other titles in the series. The endpapers also feature covers of other Griffiths books. Instead of a ‘blurb’ the back cover features a ‘Robot Riot! test’, tempting readers to read the book to find the answers.

Robot Riot!is a riot! In true Griffiths style, the pace is furious, the chapters short, the voice sincere and deadpan, and the main character, Henry, takes the reader on a wild ride. From the absurdity of the school’s location to the ending lines where Henry assures the reader ‘it’s all true’ ‘Robot Riot! is go-go-go. There are ‘important lessons’ from Mr Brainfright, lists, and red herrings. Reluctant readers will find the short chapters manageable and more confident readers will want to read ‘just one more chapter, just one…’. It’s not all frivolity and fun though. There’s a theme here, about new kids and the challenges of adjusting to a new school and new classmates. Recommended for mid- to upper-primary readers.

Robot Riot! (Schooling Around), Andy Griffiths
Pan Macmillan 2009
ISBN: 780330425186

This bookc an be purchased online from Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

review by Claire Saxby, Children’s Author
www.clairesaxby.com

Just Macbeth! by Andy Griffiths

When Andy, Danny and Lisa are transported to 11th century Scotland (with the help of a little Wizz Fizz), they realise that it is more than just time tracel. Everyone thinks that they are characters from Shakespeare’s play ‘Macbeth’ and Andy discovers he is married to the most beautiful girl in the world – Lisa Mackney. But trouble arises when Andy kills his wife, his best friend and many kittens, puppies and ponies.

You know, I love Shakespeare. And when I say I love Shakespeare I don’t just mean I love Shakespeare, I mean I REALLY love Shakespeare. And when I say I REALLY love Shakespeare I don’t just mean I REALLY love Shakespeare: I mean I REALLY REALLY love Shakespeare.

With Andy Griffiths’ hilarious plotline and Terry Denton’s comical drawings, Just Macbeth! is truly a marvellous book. Good for jokelovers between 8 and 13.

Just Macbeth! by Andy Griffiths, illustrated by Terry Denton
, Pan Macmillan, 2009

This book can be purchased online at Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Mascot Madness, by Andy Griffiths

Reviewed by Calum Murphy (aged 13)

Northwest Southeast Central School have never won an interschool athlectis competiton. Apparently, they are gutless. They will never win against Northwest West Academy.

Or so they think, until one day…

Coming through the door was a banana. A big, yellow, dancing banana.

Mr Brainfright came to help them win the interschool athletics competition, like their knight in shining yellow armour.

A hilarious book for school aged children who like a good laugh (and fruit).

Mascot Madness, by Andy Griffiths
Pan Macmillan, 2009

This book can be purchased online at Fishpond. Buying through this link supports Aussiereviews.

Bumageddon, by Andy Griffiths

Not only had Zack just arrived back on Earth after saving the world from a zombie bum invasion and rescuing his parents from Uranus, but he had also graduated from Silas Sterne’s Bum-fighting Academy. In one hand he proudly held his basic bum-fighter’s certificate, and in the other a special medal of excellence for his work in the bum-fighting simulator.
Unfortunately, however, none of the challenges Zack had faced so far – either real or simulated – had prepared him for giant-brown-blobbification.

Young readers first met Zack in The Day My My Bum Went Psycho and continued following his adventures in Zombie Bums From Uranus. Now, in the final instalment of the trilogy, Zack is back, fighting giant white bums as they attempt to take over the world. In an adventure packed with bums, smells and silly puns, there are also robots, romance, time travel and masses of brown stuff.

In this gripping conclusion Zack, his bum and his friend Eleanor tackle the dreaded white bums in a final conflict just as bizarre and funny as the earlier instalments. Of course, most adult readers won’t find these books as hilarious as primary aged children will – but they aren’t aimed at adults. If you don’t like it, don’t read it. But if you liked the first two books, you won’t be disappointed with this one.

Bumageddon: The Final Pongflict, by Andy Griffiths
Pan, 2005

Fast Food and No Play Make Jack a Fat Boy, by Andy Griffiths, Jim Thomson & Sophie Blackmore

The name Andy Griffiths is most commonly linked with funny books for children, and rightly so. However, his latest book is aimed firmly at adults. That said, there is much here which is trademark Griffiths, most notably his humour.

Fast Food and No Play Make Jack a Fat Boy is a collaboration between Griffiths, Jim Thomson, a former athlete and fitness instructor, and Sophie Blackmore, a dietician. Filled with practical information and advice, what really makes this book stand out is its use of a fictionalised case study, written by Griffiths.

Jack, an ordinary Australian boy, shares his life with us in a humorous first-person narration, which holds some very real messages and warnings. Overweight, always tired, hooked on television and computer games, Jack’s lifestyle is causing him problems. When his father, on whom many of his habits are modelled, has a health scare, the whole family struggles to make changes.

Each chapter of Jack’s tale is complemented with discussion of real-life facts, and action strategies for recognising the need for change and enacting that change. The advice is easy to follow, the strategies simple. There are no fad diets, no unattainable regimes and no preaching.

This is a book which every Australian parent should read. Kids, too, would enjoy the fictional story and, importantly, learn from it. Read aloud in class, it could form an excellent basis for health and nutrition lessons and a springboard for classroom discussion.

Outstanding.

Fast Food and No Play Make Jack a Fat Boy, by Andy Griffiths, Jim Thomson & Sophie Blackmore
Pan, 2005

The Bad Book, by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton

Little Willy took a match
And set fire to the cat.
Said Little Willy as it burnt,
‘I bet the cat hates that.’

Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton are two of the best-known names in the children’s publishing industry in recent years, both individually and as a team. Whilst each new offering is greeted enthusiastically by young readers, adult critics are not always positive about what is produced. This latest collaboration, The Bad Book is no exception, with newspapers around the country running stories about reactions to the book, which have included some bookstores refusing to stock it, recommended reading lists being amended to exclude it, and parent groups up in arms.

Despite all the fuss, it must be said that this is a book for kids, not adults, and kids will love its silliness and complete irreverence. From cover to cover there are rude jokes, messy jokes and (of course) bad jokes. There are jokes about bodily functions, jokes about bad parents and loads of violence. So, while adults may have their doubts, very few kids will. They will laugh, they will share it with their friends and they will read it – probably over and over.

The Bad Book will appeal to kids. Adult purchasers – parents, teachers and librarians – will want to make their own decision about its appropriateness or otherwise for their young charges.

The Bad Book, by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton
Pan Macmillan, 2004

More

Penny McRose picked her nose
Morning, noon and night.
She picked it until her head caved in
And her family died of fright.

Zombie Bums From Uranus, by Andy Griffiths

Since its release, Andy Griffith’s The Day My Bum Went Psychohas been a runaway success with young readers around the world. Now, the psycho bum and its owner, Zack Freeman, are back.

While Zack is struggling with his bum-fighter training, something is happening elsewhere in the solar system which could have disastrous effects.Zombie bums, which have been frozen in rings around the planet Uranus, have been defrosted and are headed for earth. Whether he likes it or not, Zack is going to have to fight them.

Armed only with a squeezy tomato sauce bottle and aided by three of the oldest bum-fighters on the planet, and, of course, his bum, Zack must fight the smelliest bums the Univarse has ever known or face the total zombie-bummification of the whole world.

With more bums, more grossness and more plain silliness than the first book, Zombie Bums from Uranus is bound to be a hit with the primary school audience. Of course, most adult readers will simply be grossed out, but then it’s not aimed at adult readers, is it?

Zombie Bums From Uranus, by Andy Griffiths
Pan MacMillan, 2003