When a family friend tried to tell me about the book he was reading but was laughing so hard I could understand nothing more than “squirrel” and “superhero” I thought I’d better investigate further. I gently removed the book from the hysterically laughing seven year old’s hands to check the title and author.
A new Kate DiCamillo?
Good thing I was on my way to the library!
As soon as the book was in my hands I started reading a few chapters to the girls each night before bed.
There were nights that instead of the kids settling down when I read to them they started giggling like maniacs and shouting, “Holy bagumba!” at each other. Incidentally, while that is certainly a positive reaction to a book it is a pretty poor set up for getting young girls to fall asleep.
There were nights that Ulysses the flying squirrel was melting Flora the cynics heart, weightier issues than sprinkle donuts (and poetry) were being discussed and the giggles were more subdued.
And every night left them asking for “Just one more chapter!”
Would I recommend it? The girls liked it. “Holy bagumba!” is a new phrase in our house and I, hater of childish vocabulary, was happy to have my tongue trip over words like obfuscate and malfeasance! It’s silly and it’s sweet and you should read it to your kids just so you don’t miss out on the fun yourself!
Behind the Willows 
We started reading this thanks to your recommendation. Have you read her ‘Bink & Gollie’ books? They’re kind of inbetween a picture book and a chapter book, the illustrations are very good.
We have read one of those and liked it. The Mercy Watson books of hers the kids really like. But I’m not as big of a fan though we do now regularly call toast “Mercy Watson toast” but only when it has “a great deal of butter” on it! I have also read most of her chapter books for older kids but I haven’t yet read them to the kids yet. I’m a bit of fan! 🙂
My five-year-old and I just finished our last read-together book. I’d wondered where to head next. Now I need wonder no further! 🙂
I hope you like it.
We also just read My Fathers Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett on the recommendation of Peter S. (comment above) and the girls all loved that one too, but the five year old liked it best!!!
We’ve made it just past the accident, with many giggles, naturally. 😀
Naturally. 🙂