Fluff unstoppable by Matt Stanton

9-year-old Gilbert is very keen to win the surfing competition but he is thwarted by an octopus. With Fluff as his ‘wingman’ (or should that be his ‘support bunny’) he is led into several strange arenas as he investigates ways to explore success. His desire to win sends him into a seniors’ exercise class and a Senior Citizens Games contest, despite his age being far below the definition of ‘senior’. Will he win at all costs or discover what it is to enjoy participating (and enjoy the company of seniors in the process)? 

This is an easy-to-read, charming, funny and quirky story with a bunny (Fluff) and a fish (Nelson) that talk and do other impossible things, and a boy that learns from his experiences. With a gentle, humorous touch this is a tale with the moral wisdom that cheating in order to win will not be satisfying and that older people should be appreciated. The cartoon-style illustrations add to the fun of this short, entertaining book for readers aged 6-9.

Themes: Humour, Winning and losing, Surfing, Old people, Competition, Lies.

Carolyn Hull