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Fortunately, Unfortunately |
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When Granny leaves her umbrella behind, Mum asks Milo to take it to her. Along the way, Milo encounters pirates, dinosaurs and aliens as he is swept into a rather unexpected and truly amazing adventure...
 Milo is returning his Granny's umbrella to her. As he sets out, it begins to rain. One thing leads to another, and he finds himself caught up in a thrilling adventure involving a whale, pirates, dinosaurs and aliens. He swings between good news and bad news as he gets up to all sorts of scrapes and japes. Will Granny ever get her umbrella in one piece?
I blow hot and cold with Michael Foreman. At times, I adore his work, yet at others it feels a bit lacklustre. Judged in isolation, Fortunately, Unfortunately would be on the warmer side of things, but unfortunately there's a direct comparison to be made. Unfortunately by Alan Durant and Simon Rickerty is another good news/bad news book, and one of Bookbag's absolute favourites. I'm afraid Michael Foreman's version doesn't compare favourably; in a straight choice between the two, there is no choice.
Michael Foreman's version has lots of high-energy excitement and adventure. Alan Durant's does too, but is just that bit more cohesive, rather than piling dinosaurs and aliens on top of pirates. Michael Foreman's illustrations are as charming as ever, but Simon Rickerty in Alan Durant's version has a fresh and original style that captures the imagination. Michael Foreman has a great sense of fun and a nice twist in the tail, but Alan Durant goes all out with the denouement and has a super sense of comic timing. Fortunately, Unfortunately IS a good book, but unfortunately Unfortunately is better. (I think that makes sense!)
If you're particularly a Michael Foreman fan, then it's the choice for you. In all other situations, there is an alternative that offers an almost identical story (not that good news/bad news is a particularly original idea in either book), but that sits high on the list of our very favourite books this year. It feels a little unfair to judge Fortunately, Unfortunately in those circumstances, but that's the way it goes. - www.thebookbag.co.uk |
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Awards & Reviews
Out of Shadows by Jason Wallace 
'Excellent. [Out of Shadows is] the
latest lacerating addition to the
boarding-school-as-living-hell genre
... read on if you have the courage.
The author attended a similar
establishment at the age of 12,
and gives every indication of knowing
exactly what he is writing about.' Independent
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Elmer's Special Day by David McKee 
'The first Elmer book seemed like a great and original one-off, McKee's extraordinary imagination and colourful art have between them maintained originality and delight over all these years: amazing.' Chris Brown, School Librarian
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