Touted as three books in one (proclaimed with glee on the very engaging front cover), each delightful story is connected to the next by a common thread - Hercules Quick’s need to earn money.
You see, young Hercules has spied the very best box of magic tricks in the world, in a local shop window. So, he needs to earn ten cent coins by doing odd jobs for his neighbours in order to buy it.
Hercules’ Aunt Alligator and best friend Sophie the tadpole (who turns into a frog during the course of the book) live on the middle floor of their building.
Above are a whole lot of yakkish, hooved critters, below is Professor Calamari, on the roof are a couple of turtles and in the cellar is a mysterious Queen.
Each of
these glorious characters finds unusual and quite funny jobs for Hercules to
do, and soon his green sock-money-saving-receptacle is clinking with coins.
The black
and white Illustrations are simply delightful with much to pore over and giggle
at. Indeed, we would not expect anything less from this author/illustrator
team. I particularly love Baby Yak who is like a whirlwind on steroids.
This funny
book with its unusual characters, perfectly heart-warming moments and surprises
at every turn, embodies all of the very best things about junior fiction.
It’s
engaging, creative, unpredictable, hilarious and soulful.
The perfect combination.
Author: Ursula Dubosarsky
Illustrator: Andrew Joyner
Publisher: Allen & Unwin, $19.99
Publication Date: 2 May 2023
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781761067747
For ages: 6 - 9
Type: Junior Fiction
