Mr Impoppable by Trent Jamieson and Brent Wilson

Everyone except Gerald loves Mr Impoppable. Gerald hates balloons and has become the world champion balloon popper, so Mr Impoppable becomes his target;  but this balloon is different. He makes fabulous chocolates for all the kids. And they love him for it but Gerald hates chocolates and warns Mr Impoppable that he will pop him. So one quiet afternoon, Gerald uses his pin to try and pop Mr Impoppable. He fails.

The chocolatier sends him off to sharpen his pin. This sharpened pin does not work either, and Mr Impoppable invites Gerald to stay for lunch. Gerald is surprised, no one has ever asked him to stay for lunch before  But Gerald carries on with his quest. He uses a sword and this fails, so Mr Impoppable bakes him a birthday cake. Gerald trains a bunch of ninja kittens who hiss and spat and hack and when this fails the pair sit down to afternoon tea. Gerald brings in a cannon, once the property of a fearsome pirate, and a slingshot and when these also fail, they sit down to a game of chess. Gerald continues on with his quest. He has a bunch of scientists create a steamroller, the likes of which has never been seen before. Gerald rides the Popatron 3000 to mow down Mr Impoppable and something does go pop, but not what Gerald expects. 

This very funny story of two people at odds coming together. Gerald is convinced that he will succeed but the chocolatier knows he will not. He offers the hand of friendship to Gerald and the two become close. Gerald seems to be a friendless boy intent on doing negative things to fill his time. So the hand of friendship that is offered from his victim takes him aback, and he accepts what is offered. 

The wonderful illustrations are mesmerising: I was entranced that a few seemingly simple lines could get across the feelings of the two characters.  A small change in the way the mouth curls, or the eyebrows on the face sit, allow the reader to be aware of the feelings of the two as they come to some understanding of each other.  The story and its images will serve to encourage readers to look again at difference and how to bridge that gap. 

Themes: Difference, Understanding, Balloons.

Fran Knight