Henri (short for Henrietta) is a genius. She is a brilliant inventor and tinkerer. Her best friend is Gustav. He is impulsive with a nose for finding grub. Despite getting his pal into mischief, Gustav is also an amateur sleuth!
In this, the second book in the series from Red Comet Press, the duo accidentally shrink themselves in an attempt to free the last piece of their puzzle that Gustav got stuck in the drain. While in the pipes under their house, the pair become the newest attraction of the Sew-seum, becoming captives of the sewer rats!
Then on a rafting trip in the ocean, a giant monsoon sweeps Gustav and Henri off to a 'Desert Island'. As Gustav impulsively goes to find help, he gets stuck on the island's swamp, is nearly strangled by snakes and finds a strange cave with very messy stalactites. Meanwhile, Henri discovers that there's something kinda sweet about this place...
Finally, Henri receives a letter from her Aunt Norma. Only, the letter is completely unlike something Henri's relative would write. For one thing, Aunt Norma invites Henri to visit her house and Aunt Norma never invites anyone to her house! Fearing something is wrong, Henri and Gustav uncover clues on a global mystery to find the missing aunt!
I really enjoyed the heck out of this book. For one thing, I was ready to head back to my local library and find book 1. Unfortunately, I'll have to wait a while to read it as it was already checked out. Lucky family who are getting to enjoy Gustav & Henri instead of me...
There's a perfect witty banter between these two best friends. And there are so many neat elements hidden in the background of these stories that add to the adventures of Henri & Gustav into becoming like its own complete universe. Masters like George Perez, George Lucas and Frank Quitely have managed to perfect this sort of artform. I would like to say that writer Andy Matthews and artist Peader Thomas are a creative duo on the same level; even if the art and stories are geared for readers from grades 2nd-5th.
These stories were originally published in Australia by Hardie Grant Publishing. Other than a couple of the stories involving the beach and water fun activities, this book doesn't read like it's from Down Under. What I mean is that Aussies have a very distinctive vocabulary. For instance, they call sandwiches 'sangers' and the word 'dodgy' means complex and difficult. I'm not sure if the editing team at Red Comet Press edited things to not have such slang words or not. But this book is not one of those where a dictionary is needed in order to understand things.
Absolutely hilarious. Brilliant ideas. Something the whole family will enjoy and want to read again and again. And with the aquatic and travelling themes of the stories, Tiny Aunt Island would make a perfect summer vacation read!
Worth Consuming!
Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.
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