I will call this book ‘successfully silly’. Few books manage to be silly in a good way, without becoming boring and disrespectful to children’s intelligence. This book manages that in an entertaining way.

The illustrations throughout the books are wonderful; the characters are wholesome and likeable (even admirable in a way). The story is fun. (Don’t be fooled by Jim Carrey’s film, it has little to do with it)

The book has won a Newbery Honor award and has become a bit of a North American classic.

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