CHAOS! Which way will YOU choose? (Andrew Cranna, Walker Books)

An eccentric grandfather, a talking pet pig, a rat, a toad and a baby alligator are just some of the characters in Andrew Cranna’s interactive middle-grade adventure, CHAOS! Which way will YOU choose? Sunday lunch at Bodhi and Jemima’s grandpa’s house takes an unexpected turn when the kids make a series of choices that set off an unexpected chain of events. While the choose-your-own-adventure genre is familiar, Cranna gives it a distinctive edge with his expressive illustrations and clever storytelling. The book opens with a playful definition of chaos theory and a direct address to the reader, drawing them in before the story even begins. Witty dialogue and dynamic visual text presented in speech bubbles and text blocks bring bizarre scenarios and colourful characters to life. Cranna (The Bloodhound Boys: The Great Blood Bank Robbery) is a skilled visual storyteller who unfolds each scene with energy and humour. His animated illustrations with exaggerated facial expressions heighten the absurdity and make the characters leap off the page. Cranna brings a fresh voice to this well-loved format. This story will appeal to fans of George Ivanoff’s twisty tales and those who enjoy the humour of Andy Griffiths, Andrew McDonald and Ben Wood. With its fast pace and endless surprises, this book will hook both avid and reluctant readers in the 8–12 age group, pulling them into the chaos and delivering unexpected, clever and hilarious twists no matter which path they choose.

Books+Publishing reviewer: M H Alessandrino is a Perth-based writer and a freelance reviewer. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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Category: Reviews