Uncategorized Archives - Adventure Boyz Books: Stories worth re-reading

Chez Bob Review: A Heartwarming Tale of a Cooking Croc

Chez Bob by Bob Shea is a heartwarming children’s book of a crocodile who sets out to trick a bunch of birds, but ends up befriending and eventually saving them.

Quick Takes

Readability – Just readable by Agent B (6 years old)
Reading time – ~6 minutes
Adventure Boyz Rating – 9/10
Perfect for – A feelgood story for primary aged kids, perhaps around 5 to 9

What Makes It A Favourite?

It’s a classic tale of a character who sets out with an intent to harm, but has his heart melted by those he had sought out to harm. There’s also an underlying link to the real crocodile and real birds – see the Egyptian Plover.

Dad’s Take

We are really enjoying these Bob Shea books. They are original, fun to read, and have enjoyable and often redeeming stories. The birds Bob ends up saving are very cute and lovable, and Bob himself is an unlikely hero. I will miss reading books like these when the kids are older.

The Kids’ Take

Agent B liked the trickster Bob and rather concerning, was upset that Bob’s original plan did not succeed.

Agent C found Chez Bob (whispers) a little sus, and was happy to see his ‘sus’ nature turn around.

Buy or Borrow It

Borrow. But like all books on the site, it could be very much be a buy.

Who Wet My Pants? Review: A Hilariously Damp Adventure Your Kids Will Love

Who Wet My Pants by Bob Shea is a hilarous potty humour book for kids about a bear coming to terms with why his pants are wet.

Quick Takes

Readability – Very doable for Agent B (6 years old)
Reading time – ~6 minutes
Adventure Boyz Rating – 9/10
Perfect for – A few laughs, and a gentle moral of not accusing others at least before you think things through

What Makes It A Favourite?

The “Did you wet my pants?” line always gathers a giggle or two. There is a lovely little story arc of a well intended bear coming to terms with the reason his pants are wet.

Dad’s Take

I really like this book. Sure, the bear’s humorously aggressive questioning of his friends as to who wet is pants isn’t a good model for one’s behavior… But the characters are all likable, and as the bear recalls his journey to damp pants, it is just good fun. We’ve read this periodically and never seem to get sick of it.

The Kids’ Take

Both kids provided far too many spoilers in their reflections of Who Wet My Pants? They did both reflect on the misguided allegations of the bear, and shook their head at his er, lack of insight.

Buy or Borrow It

Borrow. Like all books on this site though, it is a multi borrow.

Wombat Stew Review: An Aussie Classic About A Duped Dingo

Wombat Stew by Marcia K Vaughan is an Australian classic of a bunch of outback Australian animals duping a dingo into thinking he’s making a delicious wombat stew, when they’re actually saving their mate.

Quick Takes

Readability – Just there for Agent B (6 years old)
Reading time – ~8 minutes
Adventure Boyz Rating – 8.5/10
Perfect for – Aussie animal lovers, kids who like cheeky stories, ages 4-8

What Makes It A Favourite?

It’s a book that continues to build. Each animal adds their (deceptive) input into ‘bettering’ the wombat stew. The illustrations of the cackling dingo and unimpressed, cunning Australian animals are a hoot.

Dad’s Take

It is early days in our blogging journey, but this could be the best Aussie book we have on our list. We received this as gift a few Christmas’s ago and have read it many times since. It is a book you can read at face value – it really is about a dingo who wants to make a wombat stew, and accepts the advice of his hoodwinking animal buddies. Spoiler alert – the wombat stew does not go the way he wants it to.

The Kids’ Take

Agent C enjoyed the Australian animals who double crossed the otherwise mean and ignorant dingo.

Agent B liked the build up at the end (spoiler alert) where the animals tell the dingo to stop and taste the stew, ultimately saving the wombat.

Buy or Borrow It?

Buy. This is an Aussie favourite for us and we have been glad to revisit it again and again.

Dragons Love Tacos: The Book That Launched 1,000 Tacos

Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin is an amusing original story about taco loving dragons who cause from trouble (unintentionally!) when they encounter spicy salsa.

Quick Takes

Readability – Simple enough for a 5 year old
Reading time – ~5 minutes
Adventure Boyz Rating – 9/10
Perfect for – A wacky original before (or after) Taco night!

What Makes It A Favourite?

This is an original story, playful told and illustrated. The dragons are fun loving folk who just want to have a good time with boatloads of tacos. It’s a quick and easy read and you don’t need like dragons or tacos to enjoy it. It has just about all the ingredients of a great book.

Dad’s View

This is a go to book that has taken on legendary status in our household as it is just a great original story. I would put this in the same arena as Tabby McTat for a classic children’s book that is an enjoyable read and doesn’t try to preach too much (I don’t think there is a moral to the story here… unless it’s about reading the fine print on salsa labels).

I suppose it’s not unlike good taco. Tasty, easy to eat and decent nutritionally. Yes, a taco.

The Kids’ Take

Agent C discovered tacos after reading this book, circa aged 5. Tacos have been a regular on the menu ever since. His record is 9 tacos filled with meat, cheese, guacamole and a small piece of tomato or two.

Agent B likes the bit where the dragons shoot out fire and burn down the house (think spicy salsa).

Buy or Borrow It?

Buy. This is an all time favourite in our household. Buy it and schedule the readings to whet the appetite for the next taco night.

Farmer Duck: The First Half of Animal Farm (for Kids)

Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell is a thoughtful tale of a hard working duck whose animal friends help him take on his lazy owner.

Quick Takes

Readability – An early read (5 years old) could do it
Reading time – ~5 minutes
Adventure Boyz Rating – 8/10
Perfect for – A classic tale with a happy ending.

What Makes It A Favourite?

Farmer Duck was written in 1992 and as we re-read probably for the fifth time recently, it did start to feel some of its age. So why the favourite? It’s a classic story with a introduction, a problem, and a resolution. There is no doubt who the good guys are (the Duck and his animal friends) and who the villain is (the farm owner).

Dad’s View

The reference to Animal Farm is a little tongue-in-cheek, but it really does read the first part of animal farm. In fact, *spoiler alert* once the Duck and his friends chase off the lazy farm owner, the final page has the Duck standing the middle of the farm with his wing raised, whilst the other animals do the farm work. For the kids, I don’t think we make anything of that. But if you are a fan of Animal Farm, you’ll get what I’m talking about.

We have read this book now for years. It is a simple (or perhaps not so simple) classic.

The Kids’ Take

Both Agents were unified in their like of the hard working duck, and dislike of the lazy farmer, who lays in bed eating chocolates.

Buy or Borrow It?

A repeat borrow. Or it’s a buy for a friend as would very nicely live on any bookshelf.