Elaine Wickson is truly the queen of comedy writing - as she skilfully executes books that are not only rib-ticklingly funny but also packed with facts, so you can learn as you're laughing!
In Super Stan we return to the wonderful world of Stan and his sidekick brother Fred (a human tornado in shorts), and their close knit clan. Recently, the family have seen Dr Alice Fielding on telly with her documentary on how plastic is polluting the ocean and killing the sealife and they vow to make a difference, after all - each small ripple will add up to tidal wave of action!
Stan loves to chart out his thoughts in venn diagrams and piecharts, to bring sense to the chaos around him (insert Fred here!), and these illustrations brilliantly drawn by Chris Judge perfectly show how Stan orders things in his mind and add another level of interest to the book, making it perfect for those who are reluctant readers, or daunted by a long fiction book.
Yes - there's all the humour that kids will love and be engaged with - Fred with his Fart-a-Thon (my cat mad daughter is totally in favour of Swap-Teachers-For-Cats Day) and Giant Prawns causing havoc in supermarkets. But there's also a story of friends and family pulling together. It's really nice to read a story about a family like your own, living a life just like yours, but still having adventures and making a difference (although I totally want a purple haired leather jacketed, totally awesomely cool granny in my family!!). Stan's best friend Jess makes me want to be a more enlightened human being - she's a vegan, arty, upcycling, super smart ideas girl, who is always there in support. Everyone should have a Jess in their life.
Through their fight to reduce the use of single use plastics in their town, and Stan's determination not to miss viewing the coming total eclipse, the reader is treated to interesting facts on both - so you come away from the story not only uplifted and smiling but also brimming over with learning and determined to recycle more. How many funny books do you know that can do that?
All hail Elaine Wickson, author Super Stan (and the rest of the Stan books - don't miss those!). Illustrated by Chris Judge, published by OUP (Oxford University Press).
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