The third book in the Porridge trilogy is brimming with sweetness and hilarity. Oh, how I love Hilary McKay! I can't recommend this children's author highly enough. She's got a zany imagination and a heart for mischievous children. Great stuff. ( )

At the start of the book, things have been going downhill for the Robinson family. And Mrs. Brogan tries to cheer them up before their family is scattered.
After a series of almost unbelievable events, most of the family comes back together and they learn that all of their problems have been solved.
Is it one of the most ridiculous, unbelievable, and corny things I've ever read.
Maybe, but I'm reading the rest of the series one day. ( )

Sequel to Dog Friday and Dolphin Luck ( )

‘Dolphin Luck’ is a sequel to ‘Dog Friday’. It’s the story of two families who live next door to each other and are close friends. Mrs Robinson has been very ill, which rather casts a blight over the family Christmas, as do subsequent events. Nevertheless, it manages to be an amusing romp, on the whole, cleverly written with a lot of insight into some very different children. Events are exaggerated, some people extreme caricatures, but there's still an impression of warm-heartedness and loyalty.

The writing is fast-paced and enjoyable; I would have liked reading this aloud to my sons when they were perhaps six or seven or a little older, although it's recommended for fluent readers of about nine and above. It reminded me in many ways of the Bagthorpe Saga, without the extreme giftedness of the children.

Definitely recommended. ( )

A funny tween/ya tale about what happens when mom and dad leave for a few days; based in the UK. A bit of a slow start, glad I stuck with it. ( )