WIGGLER'S BIG JOKE

A pun-slinging creepy-crawly reflects after making a misstep.

Wiggler, a wormlike character with a curious superfluity of limbs, wobbles through the world telling jokes to all and sundry—possumish librarian Peter, an anthropomorphic lemon lounging in the park, a tiny red-and-black robot named Roro tinkering in the Junk and Stuff workshop. When Wiggler’s joking distracts Roro, the robot is accidentally electrified and lashes out at Wiggler. Worried that Roro didn’t think the joke was funny, Wiggler retreats to a nearby bench to puzzle out what went wrong. Thought bubbles above Wiggler’s head visually revisit the action as our protagonist reexamines the experience for clues to Roro’s anger. Realizing that Roro was upset at being distracted, Wiggler returns to the shop, in a moment of seriousness, to make amends. Roro graciously accepts the apology and lightens the mood with a few jokes. Vandorn clearly but never heavy-handedly communicates themes of making mistakes and repairing relationships, in large part due to the inviting contours of Wiggler’s world—a brightly colored little town buzzing with a whimsical cast of imaginary creatures. Snappy, accessible dialogue will further encourage hesitant readers to have a bit of fun while taking in the story, maybe even coming away with a few jokes of their own to tell.

Goofy and good-hearted, a simple tale playfully told.