FREDDIE THE FRIGHTENED AND THE WONDROUS MS. WARDROBE

by Pamela Shrapnel ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 1990

In a home stuffed with leavings from his dad's secondhand shop, Fred cowers in bed each night waiting for his parents to watch their favorite soap before they kiss him goodnight, and panicked by vividly imagined monsters: the Cardigan Monster in the bottom drawer; the troll in the elephant-foot umbrella stand. When his cousin Penelope comes to stay, she proves to be an ally who routs one monster after another with creative ardor; but even Penelope is daunted at the idea of the Googyman in the backyard, who hopes to get in and steal their skin to make hats. Fortunately, her mother turns up; and though Penelope has described her as a monster, she's really a sympathetic adult who is even more inventive than her daughter in getting rid of the terrors without belittling the children's fears; with consummate tact, she joins the half-serious game on just their level. This witty Australian import has wry, off-balance b&w illustrations that nicely combine the text's comic tone with the delicious possibility that the bogeymen might be real. The good-humored satire is perfect for sharing aloud.

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1990

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 90

Publisher: Knopf

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1990

Categories: CHILDREN'S