Monday, July 12, 2010

Doctor Proctor's Fart Powder

Doctor Proctor's Fart PowderDoctor Proctor's Fart Powder Jo Nesbø translated from the Norwegian by Tara Chace

With a title like this, you know it will be a silly story. (Hee hee FART)

Lisa is sad because her best and only friend has moved away. But, when Nilly, a very very very small boy moves in to the empty house, everything's about to change. What Nilly lacks in size, he makes up in personality. Together, the two children befriend the mad scientist on their block. Dr. Proctor's sad because all of his inventions are useless-- until the kids point out that his powder that makes you fart loudly, but without a stink, is the greatest invention ever and that kids will pay a lot of money for such a thing, especially with the Independence Day celebrations coming up.

Not only does the fart powder prove highly successful (which leads to complications as a family of bullies tries to steal it for themselves) it ends up saving the day in very unexpected ways.

Yes, a silly story, but also a sweet one about friendship, optimism, Jell-O, and everything working out in the end. It does have a rather old-fashioned feel to it (despite all the farting) which may stem from the fact that Nesbø is actually well-known as a an adult crime novelist and this is his first children's book. But, there's enough silliness (like giving the bullies the extra-strong fart powder, which makes them fart so explosively they end up stuck in a tree) it doesn't feel nostalgic or like the book is talking down to the reader. Very silly and very fun.

Book Provided by... my local library.

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2 comments:

Charlotte said...

I am much more likely (very likely, in fact) to try this one now! I was a bit off put by the idea of fart powder...

CGLnyc said...

Haha. I find it so very excellent that you picked up and read and reviewed this book.

:)