Wendy Quill Is A Crocodile's Bottom by Wendy Meddour
| Wendy Quill Is A Crocodile's Bottom by Wendy Meddour | |
|
| |
| Category: Confident Readers | |
| |
Reviewer: Mary Esther Judy
 | |
| Summary: Wendy Quill really wants to be 'a little bit famous', but things don’t always work out the way she planned. First she has to be a crocodile's bottom, a dancing munchkin and then catch the Plague. When she finally makes the headlines, it's all because of the school rat, Kevin. Best fun ever!!!! | |
| Buy? Yes | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 176 | Date: May 2013 |
| Publisher: OUP Oxford | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 9780192794635 | |
|
Share on: | |
| Video:
| |
Wendy Quill really wants to be 'a little bit famous', but her plans don’t always work out. Still, nothing can stop her from trying… and having the best time ever. First, she’s absolutely sure she’ll get the lead part in her school production of Peter Pan and Wendy. She has been Wendy all her life, after all. When that doesn’t work out, she stuns the audience with her performance as the crocodile’s bottom! Then, she gets dragged along to her best-friend Florence's tap-dancing class, and manages to land a part as a tap-dancing munchkin in their show… and she didn’t even know she could dance! But fame finally comes her way when she dresses up for a class project on the Plague and saves her teacher, Miss Pinch, from Kevin, the escaped school rat. Her heroic deed makes the front page, where everyone can see her!
Wendy Meddour is a wonderful children’s author, who knows exactly how to tell a tale. Loosely based on the author’s own childhood experiences, it is relayed in the voice of the central character, nine-year-old Wendy Quill. It is genuine, fast-paced and truly funny. The book is segmented into three 'stories', all of which flow together with ease, making this book a brilliant choice for newly confident readers, or to be shared. All of the characters are well-drawn and memorable. The situations they find themselves in are easy to relate to and filled with humour and heart. The 'message' is simple; be yourself and never give up! Peppered throughout the book are delightful, lively illustrations by Mina May, the author’s 11-year-old daughter. They are dynamically rendered and add real punch and excitement to the story, pulling the reader through and giving even more to laugh about.
Well-written, really funny, a great story and exceptional illustrations, this is the first of a series of Wendy Quill's adventures. While the book is aimed at girls aged 7 to 10 years, there is no reason that boys would not enjoy it just as much, as the humour and the story-line is not overly 'girly-girly' and it offers much for all children. My only argument with it is the pink cover, which will put boys off from reading what would be a thoroughly engaging story.
Highly recommended, I just loved this book. They were very excited about Wendy Quill is a Crocodile's Bottom at the Bologna Children's Book Fair, and it's obvious why. It is full of warmth and candour and is an absolute delight in all ways. Personally, I can’t wait for the sequel.
I really have to mention Meddour's first book, A Hen In The Wardrobe for more family drama, heart-felt warmth and hilarious action. And do read Penny Dreadful is a Complete Catastrophe by Joanna Nadin, which you'll love just as much. For even younger readers, you might try I'm Just Not Keen On Spiders (Charlie and Lola) by Lauren Child.
Please share on: 
Facebook, 
Twitter and
Instagram
You can read more book reviews or buy Wendy Quill Is A Crocodile's Bottom by Wendy Meddour at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
Template:Waterstonestext
Comments
Like to comment on this review?
Just send us an email and we'll put the best up on the site.
