The 143-Storey treehouse by Andy Griffiths. Illus. by Terry Denton

I found this book very entertaining. The illustrations are hilarious in this fast-paced, action-filled novel by Andy Griffiths. Some of the new levels to the treehouse include a word-o-matic, recycling depot, camping ground, and super big stuff storey.

The adventure begins with Andy and Terry playing scrabble, and Andy getting angry, again! He decides he needs a holiday, just the two of them. Not sure of this though, because their previous experiences haven’t been all that pleasant. However, they are due to write another book, so Mr. Big Nose sends a reporter and a photographer with them to do an exclusive story of their holiday.

The holiday turns out not to be just the two of them, and not quite as relaxing as they thought it might be especially when Andy gets chopped in half by the pax (axe). His two halves have to be stapled back together.

What’s a camping trip without having to make do with what you have? What’s the fun if you bring all the food with you? You wouldn’t have the experience of going fishing in a boat built for two, but with many more people occupying it. Toasted marshmallows by the fire, and spooky ghost stories to end the day sounds good, doesn’t it? Well, maybe, just maybe, that doesn’t go as planned either.

Do the friends escape the hobyahs? They sound very scary. After saying they weren’t scared of anything, they will have to follow Jill on the hunt for hobyahs. She assures them they are close, because she has seen their footprints. Just what have they done to all their friends? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

Themes: Adventure, Fantasy, Friendship.

Natalie Fisher