Barnabus Kwerk lives in the biggest, fanciest house in Undle.
His family are stinking rich. They’re also dreadful people. Barnabus doesn’t want to be like the rest of the Kwerks. He wants to go to school and make friends and be happy. But that isn’t possible as long as he remains trapped in the attic bedroom of the Big House.
When a stranger calls one stormy night, Barnabus is fascinated. His Aunt Jemima is like no-one he has ever met before. She knows secrets – about the Kwerks’ dark past, about Barnabus’s mother, and about a glorious golden machine at the centre of the Earth.
She offers Barnabus a life of adventure. But every great adventure has danger at its heart.
Sadly, this review will not be my usual erudite, entertaining discussion, because I'm too busy squeeing and laughing about this fantastic, fun book. I wanna be a BIFF! Or a VEEZ maybe! (I promise that makes sense when you read.)
Of course, amazing as the story is, it wouldn't be quite as amazing without the wonderful illustrations. Phillip catches the mood exactly and enhances it with his wonderful pictures - there's a touch of Chris Riddell about them, but they're very much his own. I loved the mansion on top of the trees!
The story is wonderful and I genuinely can't do it justice here - there are so many twists and clever ideas and shocking moments, kids are really going to be engaged. This would be a fabulous bedtime story, although parents might find themselves coerced into reading more than they intended! I adored the narration, as well; the little meta touches were brilliant.
I would love to read some of those volumes of further stories about Barnabus, and I can't wait to see what Erica comes up with next.
The Strange Tale of Barnabus Kwerk publishes on the 26th of September, 2022. I received a free copy and am giving an honest review.
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