Author: Steve Voake
Reading level: Ages 7 and up
Hardcover: 112 pages
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Release Date: April 24, 2012
Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars
When I look at this book, it makes me wish I was a 7-8 year old boy again. This is one of the book that I would have jumped at the chance to read. Even as an adult, this book is still a good read and very visually engaging. This book reminds me of the drawing of Ralph Steadman in an Hunter S. Thompson novel, with its illustrations spread and intertwined into the book. Throw in a story about friendship and a GIANT shark and I am in!
Welcome to Shrimpton-on-Sea, which is the home of the world’s biggestest sea urchin, where the folks are a bit unusual. While here you will meet and make friends with Hooey, Twig, Will and Dingbat the dog. It all starts with the kids wanting to purchase a giant chocolate egg. They devise a plan to catch a giant shark in order to put it on display to make money. Of course things don’t go the way that they are planned and the boys are in for an adventure.
I was not aware of the Hooey Higgins series but it seems like it is already an established series in Britain. This is Hooey’s American debut and hopefully this will not be his last adventure. The book is a fast and funny read and comes with sharp text. Props again need to go to Emma Dodson for her amazing monochromatic ink and gouache illustrations spread throughout. Look forward to book two – “Hooey Higgins and the Tremendous Trousers”.