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THE CHILDREN WHO SMELLED A RAT by Allan Ahlberg Kirkus Star

THE CHILDREN WHO SMELLED A RAT

by Allan Ahlberg & illustrated by Katharine McEwen

Pub Date: Oct. 1st, 2005
ISBN: 0-7636-2870-0
Publisher: Candlewick

Madcap, zany adventures follow the Gaskitt family in these 16 chapters of fun. Part graphic novel, part breathless action-packed soap opera, the focus this time is on the children—twins, Gus and Gloria, and baby Gary. Ahlberg and McEwen have collaborated on three previous Gaskitt tales and the humor, high-spirits and appeal remain high. So many stories happen at the same time: Will Mr. Gaskitt catch the runaway grocery cart, even when it ends up on a ship? What is wrong with the children’s teacher, Mrs. Fritter? Has she taken one too many bonks to the head? Is Gus the evil twin, or is Gloria? Or is there another? How many packages will Mrs. Gaskitt find in her cab? And where are the tattooed lady in a white dress and the man in the gorilla suit going? Ahlberg manages to keep a loose but necessary grip on the narrative, interjecting hilarious comments and commercials along the way. McEwen’s whimsical watercolor-and-crayon illustrations and clever designs add to the hilarity. A rare treat for new readers. (Fiction. 5-9)