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kater's review
5.0
I loved this - so much fun.
Great imagination, a good adventure and loads of heart.
Great imagination, a good adventure and loads of heart.
mat_tobin's review
5.0
Ever since Fidge's father had died, she had not really been the same. She helped out around the house more than she used to but something that settling in her which needed tackling. Her little sister, Minnie, was becoming annoying and there was just something about her relationship with her mum that was distancing. Worse, Fidge constantly had to read the same book about the painfully annyoing Wimbleys to her sister every night and make do with her sister's favourite toy watching her all the time: Wed Wabbit.
So when two fateful accident happens which ultimately throw Fidge into an alternate world crafted by her younger sister's imaginings, she must confront her inner demons and find her route back to who she used to be.
Funny and wise, Wed Wabbit exceeded my expectations. There is an essence of Henson's Labyrinth in here but with a different cast - one who externalises this struggle that Fidge is going through in order to try to understand her place in a family with no dad. So very well done.
So when two fateful accident happens which ultimately throw Fidge into an alternate world crafted by her younger sister's imaginings, she must confront her inner demons and find her route back to who she used to be.
Funny and wise, Wed Wabbit exceeded my expectations. There is an essence of Henson's Labyrinth in here but with a different cast - one who externalises this struggle that Fidge is going through in order to try to understand her place in a family with no dad. So very well done.
jackielaw's review
4.0
Wed Wabbit, by Lissa Evans, is a children’s story laced with humour and riddles. Its protagonist is Fidge, a young girl who is still struggling to cope with the death of her father. Grief is not an explicit plot thread but goes some way towards explaining why Fidge acts as she does. Her mother is doing her best under difficult circumstances, again not something the children reading this tale may take away. They will likely enjoy the adventure and more fantastical elements, especially when our heroes must do battle in a popular fictional world.
Ten year old Fidge is tired of reading the same storybook, night after night, to her four year old sister, Minnie. But all Minnie wants is The Wimbley Woos. These tales are set in a colour coded community of creatures shaped like dustbins with limbs, who each have different skills and use them to help the others. Fidge would far rather be packing for their upcoming outdoor activity holiday. She is trying out a high-density packing technique to minimise her required luggage. Unlike her mother and sister, Fidge is organised.
The next day there is some last minute shopping to be done. Fidge has been promised a pair of flippers but first Minnie needs sandals. As usual on these excursions there are distractions. They run out of time. Angry that she is the one who ends up carrying the plethora of toys Minnie insists on taking with her everywhere, which she then drops when something exciting catches her eye, Fidge lashes out in anger with devastating consequences.
All of this means that Fidge must go and stay with her annoying cousin, Graham, who is scared of: stairs (in case he falls down them), toast (in case he chokes on a crumb), insects (in case he catches a tropical disease) – the list goes on. His parents pander to his phobias and talk of little other than their concerns for their son. Fidge doesn’t believe Graham has anything wrong with him that couldn’t be cured with a change of attitude. Graham regards Fidge as far below his superior intellect.
Fidge is still carrying Minnie’s toy collection including her favourite bedtime companion, Wed Wabbit, which Fidge hates. The cousins argue, the toys end up at the bottom of the cellar stairs, Fidge realises Minnie will need Wed Wabbit but a massive thunderstorm cuts off power. And then, because this is what most of the story is about, the cousins end up in the land of the Wimbley Woos.
Although filled with feats of derring-do and puzzle solving, this is a gently told tale injected with a great deal of wit. Fidge needs to solve a riddle if she is to bring Wed Wabbit home. Wed Wabbit is not so sure that this is what he wants as he is angry, which puts the entire land in danger. Even with her detailed knowledge of the Wimbley Woos’ skills, Fidge struggles to get them working as a team. And then the rainbow land starts losing its colour.
There are obvious (at least to an adult) uplifting messages underlying the tale. These do not detract from the fun way the challenges being overcome are portrayed. All the characters, even the initially annoying ones, have their part to play. A great deal is learned by Fidge and Graham – without too much moralising.
Ten year old Fidge is tired of reading the same storybook, night after night, to her four year old sister, Minnie. But all Minnie wants is The Wimbley Woos. These tales are set in a colour coded community of creatures shaped like dustbins with limbs, who each have different skills and use them to help the others. Fidge would far rather be packing for their upcoming outdoor activity holiday. She is trying out a high-density packing technique to minimise her required luggage. Unlike her mother and sister, Fidge is organised.
The next day there is some last minute shopping to be done. Fidge has been promised a pair of flippers but first Minnie needs sandals. As usual on these excursions there are distractions. They run out of time. Angry that she is the one who ends up carrying the plethora of toys Minnie insists on taking with her everywhere, which she then drops when something exciting catches her eye, Fidge lashes out in anger with devastating consequences.
All of this means that Fidge must go and stay with her annoying cousin, Graham, who is scared of: stairs (in case he falls down them), toast (in case he chokes on a crumb), insects (in case he catches a tropical disease) – the list goes on. His parents pander to his phobias and talk of little other than their concerns for their son. Fidge doesn’t believe Graham has anything wrong with him that couldn’t be cured with a change of attitude. Graham regards Fidge as far below his superior intellect.
Fidge is still carrying Minnie’s toy collection including her favourite bedtime companion, Wed Wabbit, which Fidge hates. The cousins argue, the toys end up at the bottom of the cellar stairs, Fidge realises Minnie will need Wed Wabbit but a massive thunderstorm cuts off power. And then, because this is what most of the story is about, the cousins end up in the land of the Wimbley Woos.
Although filled with feats of derring-do and puzzle solving, this is a gently told tale injected with a great deal of wit. Fidge needs to solve a riddle if she is to bring Wed Wabbit home. Wed Wabbit is not so sure that this is what he wants as he is angry, which puts the entire land in danger. Even with her detailed knowledge of the Wimbley Woos’ skills, Fidge struggles to get them working as a team. And then the rainbow land starts losing its colour.
There are obvious (at least to an adult) uplifting messages underlying the tale. These do not detract from the fun way the challenges being overcome are portrayed. All the characters, even the initially annoying ones, have their part to play. A great deal is learned by Fidge and Graham – without too much moralising.
indiebookshops's review
4.0
This had been kicking around my TBR pile for quite a while and kept getting put down until I decided to go for it as it was going to be the 8-12 book club book for the month.
I instantly regretted it, by it I mean not reading this book earlier.
This is a story of Fidge and Graham in the land of the Wimbley Woos which has been taken over by a wicked, angry dictator. Fast-paced and laugh out loud funny, the only time I put it down was to have my dinner and finished it in two big bites.
There are great characters throughout the book and the themes of friendship, bravery and growth are very strong but do not overwhelm the story.
A side-splitting take on children and their love of children’s books and toys, and the fickle nature of their love.
I instantly regretted it, by it I mean not reading this book earlier.
This is a story of Fidge and Graham in the land of the Wimbley Woos which has been taken over by a wicked, angry dictator. Fast-paced and laugh out loud funny, the only time I put it down was to have my dinner and finished it in two big bites.
There are great characters throughout the book and the themes of friendship, bravery and growth are very strong but do not overwhelm the story.
A side-splitting take on children and their love of children’s books and toys, and the fickle nature of their love.
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