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Fing
Ulrich Von Strudel has got no knees, but this is the least of his problems.
Awful, terrible, despicable things are going to happen to this poor boy.
And just when he thinks things couldn’t possibly get any worse.
He discovers there’s a monster hiding in his closet.
FING is a heart warming modern fairytale about the benefits of staying positive even when faced with the vile Mrs Lipstick!
Awful, terrible, despicable things are going to happen to this poor boy.
And just when he thinks things couldn’t possibly get any worse.
He discovers there’s a monster hiding in his closet.
FING is a heart warming modern fairytale about the benefits of staying positive even when faced with the vile Mrs Lipstick!
46 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
About the author
Papa G.
8 books14 followersI am a mysterious man of mystery on a mission to write unboring and slightly weird books for children. I have so far given slow and painful birth to three books-Snotty Crocky, Pedro The Ugliest Dog in the World and FING. I spend my days smiting sea-monsters and fighting pirates. My evenings are spent with my family.
I can be reached by delighted children* and disgruntled parents alike at heypapa.g@gmail.com
*Ask parent or guardian permission first.
I can be reached by delighted children* and disgruntled parents alike at heypapa.g@gmail.com
*Ask parent or guardian permission first.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
May 24, 2012
This is one of the best modern day fairy tales I have ever read! Ulrich Von Strudel was born without knees. But Ulrich has 'tude', he tries to always look on the bright side. He meets a monster in his closet, deals with the evil Mrs. Lipstick. Beware giggles will be a by product of reading this book!
October 24, 2012
I read this aloud to my 5 year old this afternoon. I'm not certain what age it is written for, but she seemed able to follow it with ease and wasn't disturbed by some of the darker undertones. I thought it was well written. I especially liked how some of the long, convoluted sentences flowed when read. The running jokes were funny, the pictures cute, and the message inspiring. All-in-all a fun little short story.
January 9, 2013
This is a terrific story about six-year old Ulrich Von Strudel, a determined little boy born without knees. And, as if that were not enough, he has just been told his parents have been eaten by pygmies and his very mean great-aunt, Mrs Lipstick, is on her way to collect him from boarding school and look after him. When the evil Mrs Lipstick takes Ulrich home, she banishes him to the distant and inhospitable attic. Mrs Lipstick not only dislikes little boys, she is also totally aware that if anything happens to Ulrich, she will inherit the entire Von Strudel family estate. All she has to do is find a way to “accident” Ulrich and all will be hers. But, unbeknown to the evil great-aunt, Ulrich finds a sock-loving, one-eyed monster in the closet, who soon becomes his only friend, and who encourages him to heed his mother’s advice - “If you stay positive, things will always get better.”
This is a book which can be read in one sitting or, since it is chaptered, can be read as a bedtime story a bit at a time. Either way, it is filled with humour, touched with sadness and a little bit scary in parts. Children will love it! The writing is excellent and the black and white drawings are extremely good. Recommended age 6 years plus.
This is a book which can be read in one sitting or, since it is chaptered, can be read as a bedtime story a bit at a time. Either way, it is filled with humour, touched with sadness and a little bit scary in parts. Children will love it! The writing is excellent and the black and white drawings are extremely good. Recommended age 6 years plus.
October 11, 2012
My class of seven year olds really enjoyed this book and I have to say that I was in complete agreement with them. Everytime we had to stop they clamoured for 'just one more chapter'; even when their parents were waiting outside the classroom door to take them home.
Ulrich struck a chord with them to such an extent that several of them experimented with walking upstairs without bending their knees just to see what it was like. Mrs Lipstick was a perfect villain and I loved reading her dialogue.
I was also delighted that Papa G answered our email overnight when one of the children wanted to know why FING is in block capitals. His answer - "I really wish I had a clever answer for you and your class, but alas I don't know why I capitalized FING. I guess it just looked right when I was writing it. - prompted an interesting discussion about how you can break the rules for effect when you know how to follow them most of the time.
Ulrich struck a chord with them to such an extent that several of them experimented with walking upstairs without bending their knees just to see what it was like. Mrs Lipstick was a perfect villain and I loved reading her dialogue.
I was also delighted that Papa G answered our email overnight when one of the children wanted to know why FING is in block capitals. His answer - "I really wish I had a clever answer for you and your class, but alas I don't know why I capitalized FING. I guess it just looked right when I was writing it. - prompted an interesting discussion about how you can break the rules for effect when you know how to follow them most of the time.
August 24, 2018
My son and I really enjoyed this one. It’s well written and entertaining. It’s similar to A Series of Unfortunate Events in that a child is (presumedly) orphaned and is taken in by his horrid great aunt. That’s where the similarities end though. The boy has a disability (no knees) but doesn’t let that stop him, and he gets help from a monster in the closet. The main message (which is basically spelled out for us) is “With positivity and perseverance you can achieve anything.” And he does find ingenious ways to overcome obstacles. And he has help from an adorable monster.
January 24, 2014
FING is undoubtedly gratifying; it's message of continuous positivity is something that we all should listen to, the illustrations are well-made, and Papa G.'s delightful and heartfelt modern fairy tale has an accessible morale and G.'s alluring but weird characters should definitely have a sequel. It's a short but sweet read and since it's chaptered you could read it as a bedtime story or just devour it in just one sitting just like me!
September 21, 2012
A delightful and deliciously creepy little book--very reminiscent of Roald Dahl.My only complaint is that I wish it were LONGER. More backstory on Fing, more adventures with Ulrich. Perhaps the author will grace us with more books about this loveable (and highly unusual) pair.
February 20, 2013
My 7 year old loved it!
September 26, 2013
Illustrated children's story about a monster who lives in a little boy's closet. Cute.
September 13, 2015
An unusual and well-written chapter book featuring six year old Ulrich Von Strudel as the protagonist. Ulrich has a major disability; he was born without knees. When the story opens, Ulrich is about to be picked up from boarding school for Christmas vacation. He learns that his parents have been captured by a pygmy tribe in Africa and are presumed dead. To make matters worse, his mean great aunt, Mrs. Lipstick is taking charge of him.
Poor Ulrich learns he will have to sleep in the attic and eat one meal a day. After a difficult struggle to get upstairs, he discovers a furry one-eyed monster named Fing in the closet. Fing will turn out to be an ally, when Mrs. Lipstick conspires with the family lawyer to eliminate Ulrich.
This modern fairy tale has a definite dark side, but the author intersperses humor throughout. Ulrich faces his disability with strength of character. How will he survive his parents’ death and the machinations of his nefarious guardian? There are a few surprise twists in this one hundred page chapter book.
I enjoyed this story immensely. The book is an interesting book for early readers who are not disturbed by a bit of the dark side and are not overly sensitive. In general I would recommend the book for readers age eight and older. The short chapters lend themselves to a class read aloud for discussion. Black and white pencil drawings really bring the characters to life. As a bedtime story, parents need to use their own discretion, though I think adults may enjoy the book as much as a child. Very entertaining read.
Poor Ulrich learns he will have to sleep in the attic and eat one meal a day. After a difficult struggle to get upstairs, he discovers a furry one-eyed monster named Fing in the closet. Fing will turn out to be an ally, when Mrs. Lipstick conspires with the family lawyer to eliminate Ulrich.
This modern fairy tale has a definite dark side, but the author intersperses humor throughout. Ulrich faces his disability with strength of character. How will he survive his parents’ death and the machinations of his nefarious guardian? There are a few surprise twists in this one hundred page chapter book.
I enjoyed this story immensely. The book is an interesting book for early readers who are not disturbed by a bit of the dark side and are not overly sensitive. In general I would recommend the book for readers age eight and older. The short chapters lend themselves to a class read aloud for discussion. Black and white pencil drawings really bring the characters to life. As a bedtime story, parents need to use their own discretion, though I think adults may enjoy the book as much as a child. Very entertaining read.
June 12, 2015
What a fun little story.
Ulrich gets some really bad news. While his parents were in Africa, they were taken by some cannibals. Missing, and presumed eaten, he now has to live with Mrs. Lipstick, the families mean, chain smoking relative.
She says he’s a nasty, smelly boy and must stay in the cold, dark attic, only allowed out to eat once a day.
Alone and heart broken, Ulrich remembers his mother’s advice. Always stay positive and good things will come.
That’s hard for Ulrich when the strange noises in his closet reveal themselves to be a sock sniffing monster.
Ulrich is such a sweet boy. I forgot to mention he has a special disability. It’s very unusual but he stays positive and learns to adjust.
The nasty Mrs. Lipstick reminds me of Cruella DeVille from 101 Dalmatians. Just a loathsome woman and up to no good.
As for the monster, Fing, he grows on ya.
The moral of this story is maintaining good thoughts, staying positive despite the hard blows. The author had me chuckling at Ulrich’s problem solving and booing at Mrs. Lipstick’s evil doing.
A story to delight young readers with a worthy hero, or two.
Ulrich gets some really bad news. While his parents were in Africa, they were taken by some cannibals. Missing, and presumed eaten, he now has to live with Mrs. Lipstick, the families mean, chain smoking relative.
She says he’s a nasty, smelly boy and must stay in the cold, dark attic, only allowed out to eat once a day.
Alone and heart broken, Ulrich remembers his mother’s advice. Always stay positive and good things will come.
That’s hard for Ulrich when the strange noises in his closet reveal themselves to be a sock sniffing monster.
Ulrich is such a sweet boy. I forgot to mention he has a special disability. It’s very unusual but he stays positive and learns to adjust.
The nasty Mrs. Lipstick reminds me of Cruella DeVille from 101 Dalmatians. Just a loathsome woman and up to no good.
As for the monster, Fing, he grows on ya.
The moral of this story is maintaining good thoughts, staying positive despite the hard blows. The author had me chuckling at Ulrich’s problem solving and booing at Mrs. Lipstick’s evil doing.
A story to delight young readers with a worthy hero, or two.
May 23, 2017
Fing
What a lovely book for young children. It make a change to the gruffalo and other children's books I've read. Not too scary. I'd recommend for children in year one. Can't wait to read another book by the same author
What a lovely book for young children. It make a change to the gruffalo and other children's books I've read. Not too scary. I'd recommend for children in year one. Can't wait to read another book by the same author
June 15, 2012
Very cute short story for younger children.
A twist on the monster in the closet stories. It's a bit reminiscent of A Series of Unfortunate Events.
A twist on the monster in the closet stories. It's a bit reminiscent of A Series of Unfortunate Events.
March 14, 2024
I read this book when I had a kindle when I was younger, first book I ever read on my kindle. It's a cute little story about a boy who makes friends with a monster in his wardrobe. Lots of positive messages about friendship and perseverance, really recommend. Plus it's 90 pages, so a cute, short read.
August 15, 2019
More tales about Ulrich and Fing please...
What a delightful little story for children. Mrs Lipstick is the perfect villain. Ulrich and Fing should have more adventures.
See my review also at:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1...
What a delightful little story for children. Mrs Lipstick is the perfect villain. Ulrich and Fing should have more adventures.
See my review also at:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1...
February 28, 2025
I loved this as a kid… I do not remember the cannibals tho
December 15, 2016
A Cheerful Tale of Hope and Perseverance
We can't all be Roald Dahl or David Walliams, but there's always room for an effort as entertaining and close to the mark as is this book.
Our hero, Ulrich, is the boy with no knees. He's a presumed orphan, what with the rumor that his parents have been eaten by cannibals. He is in the care of a scheming, malevolent relative. Really, this touches all of the essential macabre exaggerated child humor bases. Which is fine by me. But wait. Maybe we need a monster. Possibly in a closet. SPOILER!! Oh, we get that too.
But here's the best part. Apart from the deadpan humorous unfolding of the plot, (boy survives evil relative's schemes), we get a touching tale of friendship and loyalty between Ulrich and the monster FING. Anytime you can mix and match tender, funny, silly and touching, and even give it a bit of boys' own adventure and suspense, you have a winner.
This is a short tale. It is written in a clear, direct and yet gripping style that struck me as just right for a young reader who is ready for bemused absurdity. A nice find and an excellent entertainment.
(Please note that I found this book a while ago while browsing Amazon Kindle freebies. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
We can't all be Roald Dahl or David Walliams, but there's always room for an effort as entertaining and close to the mark as is this book.
Our hero, Ulrich, is the boy with no knees. He's a presumed orphan, what with the rumor that his parents have been eaten by cannibals. He is in the care of a scheming, malevolent relative. Really, this touches all of the essential macabre exaggerated child humor bases. Which is fine by me. But wait. Maybe we need a monster. Possibly in a closet. SPOILER!! Oh, we get that too.
But here's the best part. Apart from the deadpan humorous unfolding of the plot, (boy survives evil relative's schemes), we get a touching tale of friendship and loyalty between Ulrich and the monster FING. Anytime you can mix and match tender, funny, silly and touching, and even give it a bit of boys' own adventure and suspense, you have a winner.
This is a short tale. It is written in a clear, direct and yet gripping style that struck me as just right for a young reader who is ready for bemused absurdity. A nice find and an excellent entertainment.
(Please note that I found this book a while ago while browsing Amazon Kindle freebies. I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
May 26, 2015
A friend
Although Ulrich was born with no knees, he tried to be very positive. He believed that staying positive made everything better. Unfortunately, he was told that his parents were missing or eaten by pygmy. His mean aunt, Mrs. Lipstick, was going to be his guardian. She wants to kill him for the family's estate. Ulrich finds a monster friend called Fing I his closet. Before more. Lipstick can kill him, Fing saves the day. Being positive was the really good thing to do because it helped save the day too.
Although Ulrich was born with no knees, he tried to be very positive. He believed that staying positive made everything better. Unfortunately, he was told that his parents were missing or eaten by pygmy. His mean aunt, Mrs. Lipstick, was going to be his guardian. She wants to kill him for the family's estate. Ulrich finds a monster friend called Fing I his closet. Before more. Lipstick can kill him, Fing saves the day. Being positive was the really good thing to do because it helped save the day too.
June 15, 2015
Deflightful, unboring, and slightly weird!
It is fortunate for us that the author was able to spare time out of his busy schedule of smiting sea monsters and fighting pirates to write this book.
A quick read. You will cheer for Ulrich and Fing to prevail in the dastardly situations that arise.
It is fortunate for us that the author was able to spare time out of his busy schedule of smiting sea monsters and fighting pirates to write this book.
A quick read. You will cheer for Ulrich and Fing to prevail in the dastardly situations that arise.
November 24, 2012
Cute book! And a very fast read. I'd recommend it to my young friends for sure.
May 23, 2015
This was perfectly, darkly adorable.
May 24, 2015
cute.
July 1, 2015
Delightful children's story!
A delightful story with a touch of the absurd that children will love. Ulrich and Fing are a perfect pair. This would make a great bedtime story.
A delightful story with a touch of the absurd that children will love. Ulrich and Fing are a perfect pair. This would make a great bedtime story.
December 4, 2015
Cute
Silly sweet the app is forcing me to write more words which kind of makes me mad. I just want to get to the next book on my list. Grrrttrr
Silly sweet the app is forcing me to write more words which kind of makes me mad. I just want to get to the next book on my list. Grrrttrr
July 16, 2016
I hope I get a chance to read this to my grandson when he is older.
June 9, 2015
Cute if corny. my 8 yr old liked it.
April 15, 2017
Cute Story!
I didn't realize this was a short story when I started reading it, but I truly love the message and goodness in this story! I will definitely read it to my youngest child!
I didn't realize this was a short story when I started reading it, but I truly love the message and goodness in this story! I will definitely read it to my youngest child!
September 30, 2018
I really liked the illustrations that followed each chapter. It was a short telling tale to always think positive and things will get better. How did I not know that Fing? Lol
Life isn't easy for Ulrich Von Strudel, a little boy with no knees, but he keeps his chin up and made to think positive because that is what his mother taught him before his world fell apart.
Mrs. Lipstick is a horrible wicked woman Ulrich is entrusted to when his parents are presumed dead and doesn't give a lick of decency towards the boy only what she could gain if the boy were dead. Ulrich never lost hope about his parents' death so when he needs a friend, he meets a monster living in a closet in the attic.
The monster wasn't the scary part but the evil woman Mrs. Lipstick
Life isn't easy for Ulrich Von Strudel, a little boy with no knees, but he keeps his chin up and made to think positive because that is what his mother taught him before his world fell apart.
Mrs. Lipstick is a horrible wicked woman Ulrich is entrusted to when his parents are presumed dead and doesn't give a lick of decency towards the boy only what she could gain if the boy were dead. Ulrich never lost hope about his parents' death so when he needs a friend, he meets a monster living in a closet in the attic.
The monster wasn't the scary part but the evil woman Mrs. Lipstick
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews