What do you think?
Rate this book
Bellyache #2
Headache
When Peter Fisher sets out for school one morning, he has no idea that trouble is stirring in his hometown. With the unexpected arrival of his new Candonite friends from Maple Town, Peter and Lina have extra help saving their beloved town and loved ones from the clutches of the one villain they had hoped they would never see again. Humorous and thought provoking, this unforgettably entertaining story teaches a valuable lesson about standing up and facing one's fears.
134 pages, Paperback
First published March 16, 2012
9 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
Crystal Marcos
4 books882 followersAward-winning author Crystal Marcos has been a storyteller her entire life. As the oldest of five children, she had to do a lot of entertaining. She lives on the Kitsap Peninsula in Washington State with her husband, daughter Kaylee, and son Jaxon. Crystal is the author of BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale, HEADACHE: The Hair-Raising Sequel to BELLYACHE, and Novus: Book One of The Cresecren Chronicles. Bartholomew Buggins is her first children's picture book.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 6, 2012
This story starts right up where the first book, BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale, left off, or very soon after.
This tale was not quite as fun and more scary (for me) than the first book because rather than the children from our world going to another world, characters from that world are now visiting our world and so for me some of the enchantment was lacking except in certain places, and the scary stuff is right in our everyday world, and the specifics of that scary material was my least favorite part of the first book. Also one gripe I have is that I’d think the parents and grandparents would be more worried about their kid(s), and themselves too. But 7 and 8, and some 9 and 10 year olds too, will probably take this in stride.
While it did take me longer to warm up to this installment than with the first book (though probably not if I was younger) warm up I did. And I am delighted to see that the book ends in such a way as to make room for more sequels. While this works okay as a standalone book, I highly recommend readers reading the first book before they read this one.
So much of this story and the last is the amazingly imaginative wish fulfillment that young readers have, and they’ll be able to identify with everything, I think. I love the details in each book re food. And while sweets are (for some characters) the foods to avoid, as some of the sentient characters are sweets, for me I couldn’t help thinking about sentient animals that are used for food, a vegan’s perspective. It is funny that sweets remain a desired delicacy in the story, although the characters are sensitive as to how others might feel about that. (And with all the negative press currently out about the toxicity of sugar, touting vegetables to young readers probably isn’t such a bad idea. Both appear tempting here.)
There is a great bit about appearances not always being what they seem re scary or mean neighbors a la Mrs. Dubose and Boo Radley. I love the role the grandmother plays in this story. I love the secret rooms, and the books. I also appreciated the part that indicated the only thing to fear is fear itself; it’s a great mastery over fear story. And while another sequel seems to be on the horizon, the ending of this book 2 is very satisfying.
I’d have loved to be one of Crystal Marcos' younger siblings; she could have definitely kept me entertained.
I’m not reading much these days. It did not take me 4 days to read this book. It’s more of a one, or possibly two, day book.
This tale was not quite as fun and more scary (for me) than the first book because rather than the children from our world going to another world, characters from that world are now visiting our world and so for me some of the enchantment was lacking except in certain places, and the scary stuff is right in our everyday world, and the specifics of that scary material was my least favorite part of the first book. Also one gripe I have is that I’d think the parents and grandparents would be more worried about their kid(s), and themselves too. But 7 and 8, and some 9 and 10 year olds too, will probably take this in stride.
While it did take me longer to warm up to this installment than with the first book (though probably not if I was younger) warm up I did. And I am delighted to see that the book ends in such a way as to make room for more sequels. While this works okay as a standalone book, I highly recommend readers reading the first book before they read this one.
So much of this story and the last is the amazingly imaginative wish fulfillment that young readers have, and they’ll be able to identify with everything, I think. I love the details in each book re food. And while sweets are (for some characters) the foods to avoid, as some of the sentient characters are sweets, for me I couldn’t help thinking about sentient animals that are used for food, a vegan’s perspective. It is funny that sweets remain a desired delicacy in the story, although the characters are sensitive as to how others might feel about that. (And with all the negative press currently out about the toxicity of sugar, touting vegetables to young readers probably isn’t such a bad idea. Both appear tempting here.)
There is a great bit about appearances not always being what they seem re scary or mean neighbors a la Mrs. Dubose and Boo Radley. I love the role the grandmother plays in this story. I love the secret rooms, and the books. I also appreciated the part that indicated the only thing to fear is fear itself; it’s a great mastery over fear story. And while another sequel seems to be on the horizon, the ending of this book 2 is very satisfying.
I’d have loved to be one of Crystal Marcos' younger siblings; she could have definitely kept me entertained.
I’m not reading much these days. It did not take me 4 days to read this book. It’s more of a one, or possibly two, day book.
October 23, 2012
This was a cute, adventurous children story. Although I haven't read the first book to this sequel, it provided a glimpse to the generality of what went on. Which was, Peter and Lina were transported to a fantasy candy land called, Maple Town, where they meet and befriend Candonite characters. They had an adventurous experience there. They later return back home. Unbeknownst to Peter and Lina, a couple of their Candonite friends, Joe and Angela, got transported too including the evil Goaltan and his minions, the Peblars. So this is where this book comes in ..Joe and Angela searches for Peter in hopes that he can help them get back home to Maple Town. Then come to find out that the gang (Peter, Lina, Joe, and Angela) will have to work together again to fight Goaltan (and the Peblars). This time around, Peter and Lina's families get involve and we (the readers) find out a secret! The story continues with the journey they all had in the battle and adventure to saving earth and such.
I think young kids will enjoy this series. They'll find fun characters and exciting adventure. Also will learn the value of friendship, family history, and courage.
Oh, Lina and family are Filipino so there's a few Filipino terms. Cool! *I suspect the author and/or someone in her family is Filipino???
Jinky is Reading
I think young kids will enjoy this series. They'll find fun characters and exciting adventure. Also will learn the value of friendship, family history, and courage.
Oh, Lina and family are Filipino so there's a few Filipino terms. Cool! *I suspect the author and/or someone in her family is Filipino???
Jinky is Reading
September 13, 2016
My granddaughter enjoyed this book and the author was kind enough to include her previous book in the series as well. Recommend Crystal Marcos' web page too. Fun for young readers and writers.
April 29, 2022
Being that it was set in our world this time it wasn’t quite as magical but still enjoyable. I wonder if there will be another book. After reading the first book “Bellyache” I thought the second book would maybe have them find a way to turn the peblars back into candonites.
June 17, 2012
This review consists of two parts: 1. My daughter's review (she's 9) and 2. My review (the Mom). These are excerpts. For the full review visit us at our website: http://MotherDaughterBookReviews.com
DAUGHTER SAYS:
What I liked and disliked about it:
I liked the whole, whole, whole book. It was awesome, cool, and funny. My favorite parts were when Angela and Joe were looking for Peter and they disguised themselves so nobody would notice that they were made out of candy. I liked that we find out that Peter's neighbor, Mr. Rupert, had a secret cellar in his house. It was a cool hiding spot.
Nana didn't say that she went to Maple Town in the first book, but in the second book she says she went to Honeyville, so she had been to that world, just a different town. That didn't surprise me because I kind of had a feeling that she had been there before.
I liked the new Papa's Sweet Shop. I liked the orange twisty slide, the ice room, and the really, really warm room, and the secret room upstairs. I wish I could go there or to Hawaii, cause I like it there too.
I didn't like that I didn't know what the Candonites look like. I can't imagine at all what they look like. All I can imagine really is just the colors that they can be, but only as people.
My bottom line:
I loved, loved, loved this book. I would recommend it to boys and girls 7 years old and up because there are both boys and girls in it. It might be a bit too long for kids that are younger.
MOM SAYS:
What I liked and disliked about it:
We were all really big fans of the first book, BELLYACHE. I think this one is even better. The story had the same level of intrigue as the first book and Marcos develops the right level of tension throughout. The stories have a significant amount of overlap, but the book can stand on its own (i.e., you don't need to read the first book in order to fully understand and enjoy the second book).
What I really enjoyed about HEADACHE is the larger, more well-rounded cast of characters in the story. For example, in the first book, BELLYACHE, the central character was clearly Peter while Lina was a more minor character along with the various Candonites, Peter's family, and the Peblars. In HEADACHE, there is more of a balance between Peter and Lina as the two main characters. I think this is an important change as my daughter had complained that in BELLYACHE, Lina didn't have enough of a role. Further, other characters, such as Peter's Grandpa and Grandma, Peter and Lina's parents, and Goaltan, are given more significant roles in HEADACHE.
The story itself is brilliantly written with so many twists and turns in the plot that you can't possibly guess what will happen next in the story. I find much of what I read to be largely predictable, but Marcos kept all three of us on the edge of our seats wondering what would happen next to Peter, Lina, and the other characters. There were many groans of disappointment when I had to stop reading for the night and many pleas for "One more chapter, pleeeeeeease?!" This book was a breeze to read aloud to my kids and even my 5 year-old was fully engaged in the story.
As with the first book, Marcos does a fantastic job of creating an original, imaginative story with unusual and colourful characters and settings. I agree with my daughter above...can someone please create Papa's Sweet Shop so that we can go there with its colour candy wrapper floors, sundae fountain, and twisty and ice slides? I will, however, pass on the veggie-based Candonite Delights! ;)
I can't really say there was anything about the book that I didn't like. I do want to mention a teeny tiny oversight (or perhaps it is a misunderstanding on my part). On page 93, we read about Goaltan entering Peter's house:
On p. 106, Goaltan is about to re-enter Peter's house:
Like I said, so teeny, tiny that only someone anal-retentive as myself would even notice. Perhaps I've missed my calling as an editor? :P
My bottom line:
I LOVED this book. It is exceptionally well-written, completely original, and totally entertaining. I highly recommend it (as well as BELLYACHE) to boys and girls ages 7 and up.
** HEADACHE by Crystal Marcos was provided to us free-of-charge by the author. We did, however, purchase BELLYACHE as an e-book. **
DAUGHTER SAYS:
What I liked and disliked about it:
I liked the whole, whole, whole book. It was awesome, cool, and funny. My favorite parts were when Angela and Joe were looking for Peter and they disguised themselves so nobody would notice that they were made out of candy. I liked that we find out that Peter's neighbor, Mr. Rupert, had a secret cellar in his house. It was a cool hiding spot.
Nana didn't say that she went to Maple Town in the first book, but in the second book she says she went to Honeyville, so she had been to that world, just a different town. That didn't surprise me because I kind of had a feeling that she had been there before.
I liked the new Papa's Sweet Shop. I liked the orange twisty slide, the ice room, and the really, really warm room, and the secret room upstairs. I wish I could go there or to Hawaii, cause I like it there too.
I didn't like that I didn't know what the Candonites look like. I can't imagine at all what they look like. All I can imagine really is just the colors that they can be, but only as people.
My bottom line:
I loved, loved, loved this book. I would recommend it to boys and girls 7 years old and up because there are both boys and girls in it. It might be a bit too long for kids that are younger.
MOM SAYS:
What I liked and disliked about it:
We were all really big fans of the first book, BELLYACHE. I think this one is even better. The story had the same level of intrigue as the first book and Marcos develops the right level of tension throughout. The stories have a significant amount of overlap, but the book can stand on its own (i.e., you don't need to read the first book in order to fully understand and enjoy the second book).
What I really enjoyed about HEADACHE is the larger, more well-rounded cast of characters in the story. For example, in the first book, BELLYACHE, the central character was clearly Peter while Lina was a more minor character along with the various Candonites, Peter's family, and the Peblars. In HEADACHE, there is more of a balance between Peter and Lina as the two main characters. I think this is an important change as my daughter had complained that in BELLYACHE, Lina didn't have enough of a role. Further, other characters, such as Peter's Grandpa and Grandma, Peter and Lina's parents, and Goaltan, are given more significant roles in HEADACHE.
The story itself is brilliantly written with so many twists and turns in the plot that you can't possibly guess what will happen next in the story. I find much of what I read to be largely predictable, but Marcos kept all three of us on the edge of our seats wondering what would happen next to Peter, Lina, and the other characters. There were many groans of disappointment when I had to stop reading for the night and many pleas for "One more chapter, pleeeeeeease?!" This book was a breeze to read aloud to my kids and even my 5 year-old was fully engaged in the story.
As with the first book, Marcos does a fantastic job of creating an original, imaginative story with unusual and colourful characters and settings. I agree with my daughter above...can someone please create Papa's Sweet Shop so that we can go there with its colour candy wrapper floors, sundae fountain, and twisty and ice slides? I will, however, pass on the veggie-based Candonite Delights! ;)
I can't really say there was anything about the book that I didn't like. I do want to mention a teeny tiny oversight (or perhaps it is a misunderstanding on my part). On page 93, we read about Goaltan entering Peter's house:
Goaltan watched for a moment, no doubt pleased with his work, before crushing the doorknob in his bare hand.
On p. 106, Goaltan is about to re-enter Peter's house:
Goaltan's hand was on the doorknob and he began turning it.
Like I said, so teeny, tiny that only someone anal-retentive as myself would even notice. Perhaps I've missed my calling as an editor? :P
My bottom line:
I LOVED this book. It is exceptionally well-written, completely original, and totally entertaining. I highly recommend it (as well as BELLYACHE) to boys and girls ages 7 and up.
** HEADACHE by Crystal Marcos was provided to us free-of-charge by the author. We did, however, purchase BELLYACHE as an e-book. **
June 27, 2012
I adored Bellyache and was delighted when Crystal Marcos offered to send me a copy of Headache, book two, for review when it came out. With the craziness of finals and then getting sick twice in the same month, I wasn't able to get to Headache until now (sad face).
I cannot express enough how delightful the Bellyache books are. From the first book, Peter and Lina captured my heart with their brave souls and willingness to go into the heart of danger and evil in order to save their Candonite friends. This time around, the story takes place on Earth, where Peter and Lina have returned, their Candonite friends with them... and the evil Peblars too. Now, Angela and Joe (the Candonites) must work with Peter and Lina to send the Peblars back to their world, or there will be no more sweets in town and the Peblars will enslave Peter and Lina in revenge.
As I mentioned in my last review, the Bellyache books are perfect for young children, to be read alone or as a family. This book is an even better read for a family though because Peter and Lina's family are there to support the two of them in their joint effort to thwart the evil Peblars' plans. We also learn more about Peter's suspicions from book one that his Nana has also been to Maple Town, and we see another side to various adults from Peter's grandparents to old Mr. Rupert.
Crystal Marcos does a spectacular job of introducing good principles in young children in a fun and entertaining way. In book one, we learned about friendship and the consequences of gluttony. In book we, we learn how to face our fears. I am looking forward to seeing what Marcos will give us next in book three, the conclusion to the Bellyache series!
P.S. For Christmas, I would like Papa's sweet shop. It looks so delicious and fun!
--
For more of my reviews, visit my blog Imaginary Reads.
I cannot express enough how delightful the Bellyache books are. From the first book, Peter and Lina captured my heart with their brave souls and willingness to go into the heart of danger and evil in order to save their Candonite friends. This time around, the story takes place on Earth, where Peter and Lina have returned, their Candonite friends with them... and the evil Peblars too. Now, Angela and Joe (the Candonites) must work with Peter and Lina to send the Peblars back to their world, or there will be no more sweets in town and the Peblars will enslave Peter and Lina in revenge.
As I mentioned in my last review, the Bellyache books are perfect for young children, to be read alone or as a family. This book is an even better read for a family though because Peter and Lina's family are there to support the two of them in their joint effort to thwart the evil Peblars' plans. We also learn more about Peter's suspicions from book one that his Nana has also been to Maple Town, and we see another side to various adults from Peter's grandparents to old Mr. Rupert.
Crystal Marcos does a spectacular job of introducing good principles in young children in a fun and entertaining way. In book one, we learned about friendship and the consequences of gluttony. In book we, we learn how to face our fears. I am looking forward to seeing what Marcos will give us next in book three, the conclusion to the Bellyache series!
P.S. For Christmas, I would like Papa's sweet shop. It looks so delicious and fun!
--
For more of my reviews, visit my blog Imaginary Reads.
April 29, 2013
Headache ~ The Hair-Raising Sequel by Crystal Marcos is highly recommend for those children who love to use their imagination! I have not read Bellyache, but after reading Headache I would not hesitate to read Bellyache.
The story Headache takes place on earth despite the main characters being aliens, which are sweets. No I don't mean sweet as in cool or awesome. I mean sweets as in gum-drops and cup-cakes! LOL! Now for me it took a while to wrap my head around these walking around and talking in all seriousness of being afraid of humans and our pets. But once you let go of your practical-ness you can actually feel the frightening situations these two characters get in and their very humorous ways they get themselves out of them.
No sooner did I find myself having fun with the story, I was then set in main dilemma of the chase! The sweets had paired themselves up with some old friends and were preparing themselves for an all out war with the evil, monstrous Rock candy! How will a couple of little sweets and some nerdy little humans win a war against these merciless hulks? Well I guess you'll have to read it to find out.
Oh and by the way...Children have no problems jumping right into characters with their imaginations As for myself I found it quite refreshing once I unlocked that childhood door. We give 2 thumbs up or if you rather 5 stars to Crystal Marcos, Headache.
The story Headache takes place on earth despite the main characters being aliens, which are sweets. No I don't mean sweet as in cool or awesome. I mean sweets as in gum-drops and cup-cakes! LOL! Now for me it took a while to wrap my head around these walking around and talking in all seriousness of being afraid of humans and our pets. But once you let go of your practical-ness you can actually feel the frightening situations these two characters get in and their very humorous ways they get themselves out of them.
No sooner did I find myself having fun with the story, I was then set in main dilemma of the chase! The sweets had paired themselves up with some old friends and were preparing themselves for an all out war with the evil, monstrous Rock candy! How will a couple of little sweets and some nerdy little humans win a war against these merciless hulks? Well I guess you'll have to read it to find out.
Oh and by the way...Children have no problems jumping right into characters with their imaginations As for myself I found it quite refreshing once I unlocked that childhood door. We give 2 thumbs up or if you rather 5 stars to Crystal Marcos, Headache.
April 15, 2012
What a sweeeet read!!!
Anyone who hasn't read BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale, needs to get a hold of that book and follow that up with HEADACHE!
Headache picked up right where Bellyache ended, and throughout the pages everything is tied together so wonderfully - you'd think they were written together. As the second book, this continues the tale of Peter and his friend Lina and their adventures with the candonite people. Who are the Candonites you ask? People made out of candyyyyy...need I say more! (yes me and food are one)... they need to save their town from the horrible Peblars (rotten candy).
I was totally glued to this hair-raising sequel. I absolutely LOVE this book, it's full of action and adventure - my kind of read.
I'd definitely recommend it to others (both children and adults), it also makes the perfect group read (like in a classroom).
Crystal I hope you aren't stopping at this one! :)
BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale
Anyone who hasn't read BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale, needs to get a hold of that book and follow that up with HEADACHE!
Headache picked up right where Bellyache ended, and throughout the pages everything is tied together so wonderfully - you'd think they were written together. As the second book, this continues the tale of Peter and his friend Lina and their adventures with the candonite people. Who are the Candonites you ask? People made out of candyyyyy...need I say more! (yes me and food are one)... they need to save their town from the horrible Peblars (rotten candy).
I was totally glued to this hair-raising sequel. I absolutely LOVE this book, it's full of action and adventure - my kind of read.
I'd definitely recommend it to others (both children and adults), it also makes the perfect group read (like in a classroom).
Crystal I hope you aren't stopping at this one! :)
BELLYACHE: A Delicious Tale
May 23, 2012
In HEADACHE: The Hair-Raising Sequel to BELLYACHE, Crystal Marcos once again lures readers with her imagination and creativity.
Peter and Lina's adventure with the Candonites continues only this time the Candonite children, Joe and Angela, have been transported to Peter's world. Joe and Anglea end up in Peter's grandfather's candy store and are alarmed to see the miniature edible versions of themselves. Once they realize where they are they create disguises and set out to search for Peter. They are certain he will help them get back to Maple Town. However, after Joe and Angela locate Peter they discover another problem Goaltan and the Peblars have been transported too. Goaltan is on a mission to find Peter and Lina and destroy anything and anyone that gets in his way.
Can Peter and Lina defeat Goaltan and the Peblars and also help Joe and Angela return to Maple Town?
HEADACHE: The Hair-Raising Sequel to BELLYACHE is a gripping tale that will keep you entertained from beginning to end.
May 31, 2012
Headache is a wonderful sequel to Bellyache, carrying over the main characters Peter and Lina and having them encounter the evil villian Goaltan and his minions, known as the Peblars. But this time instead of Peter and Lina traveling to another world filled with Candonite children from Maple Town, that world seems to come to them bringing with it the villian Peter and Lina barely escaped from in Bellyache. Now, their world is endangered from Goaltan as he tries to destroy all the sweet shops in town, his eyes focusing on the one Peter's grandfather owns. Will they be able to win this battle, especially when Goaltan discovers their true identities and kidnaps Lina to draw Peter out of hiding? This 134 page chapter book is filled with excitement and adventure fans from Bellyache are going to love. This story also teaches some valuable lessons parents will appreciate their children learning about. Overall, a fun and wonderful read.
February 8, 2013
Headache the Hair-Raising Sequel to Bellyache is a wonderful tale of facing your fears and working together. In this second installment we watch Peter and Lina develop courage to defeat the evil Goaltan drawing on the knowledge and lessons they have learned on their trip to Maple town, along with Nana's memories of her visit to Honeyville. I absolutely love the imagery in this book. I wish I could visit the toy shop, to play around in edible foam, ride one floor up on a pogo stick and sit at a glow-in-the-dark drink bar, to sample a sarparilla drilla, served so cold that it comes with a drill. The Candonite children were adorable and one would have to have great self control not to be tempted to eat one of them. I loved the ending and Papa's new sweet shop is so delightful I wish I could visit it in a certain famous theme park in the future.
A delightfully innocent read that will have you cheering the characters on and wishing you could sample some of the delights along the way.
A delightfully innocent read that will have you cheering the characters on and wishing you could sample some of the delights along the way.
July 6, 2012
Crystal's sequel to Bellyache is another great book for children and adults. When the evil Goaltan attacks all the sweet shops in town, who wouldn't throw a fit. Me, for one. But luckily the chilren come to the rescue and learn the secret to why Goaltan is so mean. The story leaves a great message why some people/things are mean and tempermental. Children (and adults) of any age will enjoy both of her books. They have great characters and imaginative settings.
November 1, 2012
Headache.
I haven’t read the first book in this series and perhaps that is why I found this children’s book wanting. The Candonite children, that showed so much promise, where sidelined and played no part in this tale.
The book was sold as funny and scary, it fell down on the first of these two for me, I’m no child, but I write children’s books and I don’t think this one hits the mark. It is well written and I hope I’m wrong and the story is liked by kids, but this one wasn’t for me.
I haven’t read the first book in this series and perhaps that is why I found this children’s book wanting. The Candonite children, that showed so much promise, where sidelined and played no part in this tale.
The book was sold as funny and scary, it fell down on the first of these two for me, I’m no child, but I write children’s books and I don’t think this one hits the mark. It is well written and I hope I’m wrong and the story is liked by kids, but this one wasn’t for me.
October 27, 2012
A great sequel! What more can I say - Both BELLYACHE and HEADACHE are clever and interesting books about two separate worlds. I'm sure any YA would love to read this, as well as being great books to read to youngsters who not quite up to the level of reading ability to read this for themselves.
I would be very interested to read more works from this author.
I would be very interested to read more works from this author.
February 18, 2013
Another enjoyable read by Crystal Marcos. This book was a very interesting follow-up to Bellyache. I didn't find it as engaging however. This is probably due to the fact that the uniqueness of the story concept is gone. I still found it enjoyable,interesting, and well worth the time spent reading.
September 22, 2012
A sweet read!
Again, I read a book out of sequence.
It took me a few pages to figure out what was going on and would have been better in sequence. Once the story was under way and I had a firm grip on the candy children and how they came to be in our world it was a fun read.
Again, I read a book out of sequence.
It took me a few pages to figure out what was going on and would have been better in sequence. Once the story was under way and I had a firm grip on the candy children and how they came to be in our world it was a fun read.
May 3, 2012
reviewed by my grandson Derek (age 7). He LOVED both Bellyache & Headache!!! Further remarks on Bellyache review!!! Thanks again Crystal for the lovely books!!!!!
July 13, 2012
It was even better than the first book (Bellyache)AND I really LOVED Bellyache!!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews