WIFF AND DIRTY GEORGE

Two raffish lads pitch in to save the Queen from a mad inventor in this Monty Python–esque farce. After happening upon a vaguely threatening letter, rope-and-knot–loving orphan Wiff drags his best mate, dirt-eating Dirty George, from London to Brighton in search of a certain previously unknown Great Uncle Basil. The two are instantly imprisoned in Basil’s underground lab, where thugs and mad scientists dressed in rabbit suits hop about, and pants are likely to drop unexpectedly thanks to a small device dubbed the “Zipper Extraction Button Removal Atom-Smasher.” Here they learn that Basil, an ex-spy gone totally bonkers, is out to replace the Queen with a double during the festive Bangers and Mash Day celebration at Kew Gardens. Even with help from Basil’s naïve but astoundingly capable ward Daphne, can the boys Save Britain? Replete with captures, escapes, chases, bizarre inventions and general tomfoolery, the antic tale will keep readers on both sides of the pond entertained. Instructions for several knots and a glossary of Britspeak appended. (Burlesque fantasy. 10-12)