Stories for the Kid Next Door

Gosh, this is a great book for middle schoolers, and how wonderful to see that short story collections are still being written – and in this case very well. [Emma] specialises in observational comedy and perfect timing. It turns out these are transferable skills in her children’s writing, because this book is both clever and hilarious.

Frances Whiting, The Courier Mail

A collection that is full of the sorts of characters that are just a little offbeat from the norm, offering lots of possibilities for fun, laughter, mischief and a touch of the ridiculous. Inspired and influenced by both Andy Griffiths and Paul Jennings, both masters of the art of writing short stories for kids that are still being read decades after they were written. . . This is one that is going to appeal to those for whom a full novel is a little too overwhelming yet but who are looking for a short read that gives them that certain satisfaction of having read and completed a story, while those with an artistic bent might like to put on Chris Kennett’s hat and illustrate some of the entries, like the owls in the tree having a head-spinning contest.

Pat Pledger, TheBottomShelf

Highly recommended.This collection of short stories and poems is fabulous. With a huge cast of quirky characters and wild adventures this book is sure to keep the reader entertained. I saw one comment that described the illustrations as a perfect brain break from the text, but I think that this accurately describes this book perfectly, as the short stories are finished quickly and create a buzz that makes you want to return to the book and read it again. I have always loved collections of short stories as they allow you to feel a sense of accomplishment when you finish each story, and this collection is so funny, unpredictable and weird that it was hard to put down. It is hard to describe the story or discuss the characters in this type of book as the characters are diverse and challenged in different ways according to the story, there is no repetitiveness or a feeling of having read it all before, and the illustrations complement the words perfectly, helping to move the story along and follows the action perfectly. I can see this being a favourite of independent readers but would also work well in a classroom or as a read aloud at home because of the format and the touch of absurdity in each story. This is definitely a book I would recommend and revisit personally too.

Mhairi Alcorn, Read Plus