Durrell brilliantly injects absurdity into a stagnant life and shows the magic that can happen (whether the hero is up for it or not.) I love books where the characters are reluctant to deal with what’s happening to them, and in a way Adrian Rookwhistle is like a precursor to my unwilling heroine, Sorrel. (Although there are no elephants in Bloom, which I now realise is a mistake.) 3. The Borrowers, Mary Norton (Puffin) However, I would not dismiss this book! If you know a young person who would enjoy this book, I would recommend it. It is really interesting in terms of the messages behind it and it is quite a fun book for a young person to read. (There is also quite a lot of problem-solving in it, just in case you are into that!). A book I would not slate in the slightest.

If you are planning to read this book, one has to prepare to overlook the quite bizarre plot - I even felt a bit ridiculous explaining it then, let alone reading it - and look instead at the wider subtext and themes. Fidge and Graham’s personal quests, though a hook to hang the rest of the book from, are not really the funny bits. Those are mostly to do with the Wimblies, who can only communicate in the singsong rhyme scheme of their book, and whose self-conceptions are entirely based around the assumption that each color Wimbly is only good at one thing. (This is, in fact, key to the strategy that ends up overthrowing Wed Wabbit, but I won’t spoil everything for you.) The rhyming provides almost infinite opportunities for wit, and Evans takes full advantage of them. The Wimbley King’s apathy, for instance, is delightfully articulated by the fact that he frequently can’t be bothered to think of end rhymes: Lissa Evans grew up in the West Midlands. She comes from a family of bookworms and spent most of her childhood trawling through her local library.

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Frank Cottrell Boyce on why reading for pleasure is the most important thing you can pass on to a child Evans achieves vivid, original worldbuilding while maintaining trim prose that’s by turns heart-rending and hilarious, exciting, and well worth a place alongside beloved adventure classics. Kirkus starred review. Fidge’s troubles begin during a thunder storm when she falls into the land of the Wimbley Woos. All seems perfect at first, until Graham also arrives (along with his transitional object – Dr Carrot). It appears that a cruel dictator has overthrown Wimbley Land. Fidge and Graham need to join forces to help save the Wimbley Woos from an uncertain fate…

Let's face it, I never thought I would love this book. However, I did not expect to be so intensely irritated by a book that I wanted to throw it against a wall and start pounding my head on the ground. Literally the moment I finished this I took big gulps of relieved breaths because I was so glad to get out. That irritation has literally masked my whole opinion of this book and I could literally not rate it higher, even if I wanted to. Wed Wabbit is a story about the importance of family and friendship. Although Minnie only features in a small part of the book, it is her favourite book - The Land of the Wimbley Woos - and her favourite toys - Eleanor Elephant and Wed Wabbit - which are at the heart of the story. Her love for and understanding of her little sister makes Fidge able to achieve her quest and solve the problems facing the Wimbley Woos. In the process, she learns more about the importance of understanding others and playing to people's strengths. I love this book not just for its fearless heroine but because it touches on that universal truth – that occasionally children yearn for a world that is bigger, and more exciting, than the tiny protected environment they’re boarded up in. Plus its really, really funny. There may be many reasons for its failure – perhaps it just doesn’t appeal to your sense of humour – but often the difference between a funny line and an unfunny one is a matter of a changed word, an extra syllable, a clearer metaphor or crisper structure. The analogy often used is that of music: the line needs the right number of beats, it needs to sing (it often helps to read it out loud) and, like a good tune, a good funny line is instantly memorable . Hence the fact that my head is still stuffed with lines that made me laugh in childhood, and which constantly remind me of the level that I’m aiming for. Which brings me to… Aim:Also the voice in the book was geared more towards older children, I think... Fidge is almost 11 but feels more like at least 14, and the text was too specific, for example: "And then it nodded at her captor, and Fidge was given a shove between the shoulder blades that sent her stumbling into the twilight." (94)

Wed Wabbit was shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal in 2018 and the Costa Children's Book Award in 2017. About the author Minnie, although not physically present for the majority of the time, dominates the story. She insists that Fidge repeatedly must read to her from her favourite book The Land of Wimbley Woos. The Wimbley Woos are all a different colour (signifying their traits) and they speak in rhyme (all the time). Fidge hates the book (obviously!) Minnie also has a favourite toy, a rabbit, which she must have with her constantly. For me it’s a rollercoaster of emotions that I’m trying to manipulate the reader into’ - Alex Wheatle on fictional world building, creating new language and seeing yourself in a book What is the effect of setting the story in a fantastical setting, where different rules apply? Do you find Wimbley Land believable? How well does the author bring it to life for you? Stories about toys coming to life are always about more than a simple fantasy. Children don’t think of play as something frivolous: for them, it’s about finding a voice, understanding the world around you, processing emotion, placing experiences in the hands of fictional characters to better comprehend them. These are always stories about saying goodbye, and learning how to grow up. Here are eight that are guaranteed to make your eyes water and your heart swell. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery WilliamsBeing a ten year old can be hard – you’re capable of complex thoughts and emotions, yet others (usually adults) can still insist on infantilising you. Evans pokes fun at that tension in this sublimely funny book by placing a clever, spiky heroine into the very childish Land of the Wimbley Woos. Now imagine you’re reading a line that’s obviously supposed to be funny, but it doesn’t make you laugh. THE WRITER HAS FAILED. Almost all children have a toy that is precious to them - whether it's a worn-out teddy bear, a doll, or even a tin car or a plane, these are the precious objects that bring us comfort and joy when we're young. The Midnight Guardians author Ross Montgomery shares 8 brilliant books about the magic of childhood toys... Lissa Evans, author of the hilarious Wed Wabbit (shortlisted for the Costa and Blue Peter book awards), shares her top tips for funny writing – whatever your age.