I was sort of about not to read the two Boobela books I had in front of me. But something made me look inside. And I felt I might want to after all. It took me some more time, but once I did sit down with Joe Friedman’s Boobela and Worm, and Boobela and Worm, Ace Detectives, I felt quite warm inside.
They are books that would be suitable to read aloud to a young child, or for a slightly older child to read on their own. I reckon both would work well, but I quite fancy the idea of reading them to someone. If I had a someone of the right age.
Boobela is a giant. She is eight years old to start with, and in the latest book she is ten. She seems to have normal parents, except for the fact that they have gone off to Africa looking for medicine plants. That’s not nice, but it’s what fictional parents do. Her grandmother has also abandoned her temporarily.
Boobela isn’t too good at housework, or indeed at washing herself. When she meets Worm, things look up, and she starts to take more care, because now she finally has a friend. Boobela is very much about friendship.
Each book has four short stories, and they cover subjects such as balloon rides, dowsing, detecting and they even feature hoodie worms, of the hooligan variety. In fact, the hoodie story is quite romantic, and is all about courage. Worm isn’t too keen on kissing, however.
Great illustrations by Sam Childs.
Thanks for this kind and thoughtful review of the Boobela books. (I’m glad you liked the hoodie worms — they were a touch of genius from Sam my illustrator.) One question though… why were you sort of not going to read them?
Joe
Mainly, I think, because I didn’t like the name Boobela. And because the books were clearly aimed at an age group that is probably my least favourite for books. Neither really young, and not for more advanced readers.
Sorry…
But you know, it’s like not liking someone at school when you first see them, because they don’t look like your type. And then when you’ve become best friends you no longer remember quite what you had against them.
I love the metaphor of not liking someone at school because they don’t look your type. Particularly relevant as my daughter (for whom I originally wrote Boobela) is just starting secondary school…
Ooh, I hope she has a good start, and doesn’t meet anybody stupid like me who’s not so good at judging new friends. I’ve just sent Daughter out the door to her first day at college.
Let’s hope they don’t take after their parents and that they both have good judgement and make good friends!