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The Floods #1
Neighbours
The first in a laugh-out-loud series from the ingenious mind of much-loved children's author Colin Thompson.
Nerlin and Mordonna Flood have seven children, most of whom were not created in the traditional way like you or me, but were made in the cellar, using incredible mystical powers, some very shiny Jamie Oliver saucepans and a small chemistry set.
The youngest child, Betty, is a normal, pretty little girl - but she's a useless witch. Her attempts at magic often go wrong, with unexpected yet welcome results.
The next-door neighbours should've known better than to rob a family of witches and wizards. But they did, and they're about to find out what the Floods do to bad neighbours.
Nerlin and Mordonna Flood have seven children, most of whom were not created in the traditional way like you or me, but were made in the cellar, using incredible mystical powers, some very shiny Jamie Oliver saucepans and a small chemistry set.
The youngest child, Betty, is a normal, pretty little girl - but she's a useless witch. Her attempts at magic often go wrong, with unexpected yet welcome results.
The next-door neighbours should've known better than to rob a family of witches and wizards. But they did, and they're about to find out what the Floods do to bad neighbours.
142 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2005
20 people are currently reading
273 people want to read
About the author
Colin Thompson
122 books122 followersSince he started writing and illustrating children's books in 1990, Colin Thompson has had more than 50 books published. He has received several awards, including an Aurealis Award for the novel HOW TO LIVE FOREVER and the CBC Picture Book of the Year in 2006 for THE SHORT AND INCREDIBLY HAPPY LIFE OF RILEY. He has been shortlisted for many other awards, including the Astrid Lindgren Award - the most prestigious children's literature prize in the world.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Colin lives in Bellingen, Australia. His books with Random House Australia include HOW TO LIVE FOREVER, numerous picture books, THE FLOODS series, THE DRAGONS series, THE BIG LITTLE BOOK OF HAPPY SADNESS picture book, which has been shortlisted for the 2009 Children’s Book Council Award for Best Picture Book, and FREE TO A GOOD HOME.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Colin lives in Bellingen, Australia. His books with Random House Australia include HOW TO LIVE FOREVER, numerous picture books, THE FLOODS series, THE DRAGONS series, THE BIG LITTLE BOOK OF HAPPY SADNESS picture book, which has been shortlisted for the 2009 Children’s Book Council Award for Best Picture Book, and FREE TO A GOOD HOME.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
November 20, 2025
I was so disappointed by The Floods. The content is very problematic.
I loved the concept and character designs. I appreciated the addition of character profiles, family tree and comparison to a “normal” family, but despite some decent humour and creativity, I found the book to be rather repulsive and unenjoyable. There is so much missed potential.
The Floods are not relatable protagonists - not a criticism, just a fact. Their abilities and use of magic gives them absolute power, which means there’s no real challenge or meaningful conflict. The supposed “problem” in this story is their unlikeable neighbors, but the Floods’ response goes far beyond justice.
For example, the Floods’ daughter Betty - the only family member who appears “normal” - was a great concept but she is written as mean, sadistic, and cruel. She enjoys tormenting others, like mocking her neighbour’s weight while the neighbour was already in a vulnerable, humiliating situation. That scene felt unnecessarily nasty, almost as if the book endorsed fat shaming to its young audience.
The use of poop was not humorous;
Dickie pooping himself wasn’t funny - it was just gross and humiliating.
There were no positive underlying messages to make a good impression on young readers. If anything it probably has a bad message that it’s ok to abuse your power and harm others if you think they “deserve” it.
Also, are we just going to completely ignore that the teenager neighbour girl was in a relationship with a cop? This was completely glossed over. The book seemed eager to slut shame her and only make the cop seem bad for having an affair - not for pursuing an underage girl. She was regularly referred to as “tarty” and body shamed.
Overall, The Floods made me feel uncomfortable, not entertained. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.
I loved the concept and character designs. I appreciated the addition of character profiles, family tree and comparison to a “normal” family, but despite some decent humour and creativity, I found the book to be rather repulsive and unenjoyable. There is so much missed potential.
The Floods are not relatable protagonists - not a criticism, just a fact. Their abilities and use of magic gives them absolute power, which means there’s no real challenge or meaningful conflict. The supposed “problem” in this story is their unlikeable neighbors, but the Floods’ response goes far beyond justice.
For example, the Floods’ daughter Betty - the only family member who appears “normal” - was a great concept but she is written as mean, sadistic, and cruel. She enjoys tormenting others, like mocking her neighbour’s weight while the neighbour was already in a vulnerable, humiliating situation. That scene felt unnecessarily nasty, almost as if the book endorsed fat shaming to its young audience.
The use of poop was not humorous;
Dickie pooping himself wasn’t funny - it was just gross and humiliating.
There were no positive underlying messages to make a good impression on young readers. If anything it probably has a bad message that it’s ok to abuse your power and harm others if you think they “deserve” it.
Also, are we just going to completely ignore that the teenager neighbour girl was in a relationship with a cop? This was completely glossed over. The book seemed eager to slut shame her and only make the cop seem bad for having an affair - not for pursuing an underage girl. She was regularly referred to as “tarty” and body shamed.
Overall, The Floods made me feel uncomfortable, not entertained. I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.
October 13, 2010
The Flood family isn’t what you’d call totally normal—Nerlin and Mordonna, the parents, are a wizard and a witch, respectively; Valla, the oldest of the seven children, works at a blood bank (and brings his work home with him!); Satanella was once a cute little girl, but after a terrible magic accident involving a shrimp and a faulty wand, she turned into small dog; Merlinmary is completely covered in hair, so nobody knows if it’s a boy or a girl; Winchflat is the family genius—except that he looks like he’s already dead; the twins Morbid and Silent only speak to each other telepathically; and Betty, the youngest, is the only “normal-looking” child in the family—but she still possesses magical powers. The Flood family thinks that everything in their lives is perfect—except for their next door neighbors, the Dents.
The Dents are as obnoxious as can be! Their lawn is littered with garbage and old cars, their dog Rambo attacks anyone who comes near the house, the television stays on at full volume all day and night, the family communicates with one another by yelling, and the children are bullies. It comes to a point where the Floods decide that they aren’t going to stand for this anymore and take measures to change the Dent family’s ways.
This story is hilarious! The Flood family brings to mind those in The Addams Family and The Munsters—spooky and weird, but in a funny way. The author’s tone is humorous throughout the entire book, which is sure to make readers snicker. Continue reading about the Flood family in the rest of The Floods series!
The Dents are as obnoxious as can be! Their lawn is littered with garbage and old cars, their dog Rambo attacks anyone who comes near the house, the television stays on at full volume all day and night, the family communicates with one another by yelling, and the children are bullies. It comes to a point where the Floods decide that they aren’t going to stand for this anymore and take measures to change the Dent family’s ways.
This story is hilarious! The Flood family brings to mind those in The Addams Family and The Munsters—spooky and weird, but in a funny way. The author’s tone is humorous throughout the entire book, which is sure to make readers snicker. Continue reading about the Flood family in the rest of The Floods series!
March 18, 2016
I gave this one the highest rating because it was the first one I read and they are mildly amusing, especially to begin with. There is enough wickedness in Thompson's sense of humour to surprise a laugh even out of a reader like me. I love the way the series is named after the crappest TV shows you could ever watch (apart from play school which is an awesome show if you are under seven).
Thompson's misuse of footnotes adds to the comedy and the irreverent tone which is what is most likeable about these books. If something seems too improbable or particularily too gross to be true then in these books it WILL be true! Be warned.
Thompson's misuse of footnotes adds to the comedy and the irreverent tone which is what is most likeable about these books. If something seems too improbable or particularily too gross to be true then in these books it WILL be true! Be warned.
August 27, 2019
This was a hilarious book filled with dark comedy and lots of jokes. This book reminded me very strongly of The Adams Family, as they were both a spooky family with a generally funny and dark theme to them. The humour in this book also reminded me of the author Derek Landy, the writer of one of my favourite book series ever ‘Skulduggery Pleasent’. I recommend this book to people aged 10 and up.
December 3, 2020
It is a great book I can not wait to read The Flood #2 I got recommended it so I read it and I loved it so much I really can't wait rated it 5 stars amazing
December 25, 2020
majisisisisisimos los flood les quiero. humor muy chachi
January 16, 2019
this is the only book.
May 29, 2015
The Floods are a strange family who live in a normal neighbourhood. Nerlin and Mordonna are the Mum and Dad with six children who have arrived in different ways – by spells etc.
Valla – 22 - who works in a blood bank. Satanella – 16 – Was once a pretty girl but now resembles a scruffy dog. Merlinmary – 15 - Nobody is sure whether Merlinmary is a boy or girl as she/he is so hairy and no one can get close enough to find out.
Winchflat – 14 – A nerdy genius who happens to look dead. The twins – Morbid & Silent (love the names) 11 and Betty who is ten and looks perfectly normal.
They are a family of wizards and witches, all with their own talents. They have their relatives buried in the back yard, who aren’t really dead at all and the children go to a special wizarding school – nothing like the namby pamby HP version of school.
The Floods are part of a series and the 1st called – Neighbours, is all about getting rid of their noisy, rude, lazy neighbours.
These stories are illustrated with foot notes on most pages explaining many parts of the text. It’s funny, creepy and different.
Valla – 22 - who works in a blood bank. Satanella – 16 – Was once a pretty girl but now resembles a scruffy dog. Merlinmary – 15 - Nobody is sure whether Merlinmary is a boy or girl as she/he is so hairy and no one can get close enough to find out.
Winchflat – 14 – A nerdy genius who happens to look dead. The twins – Morbid & Silent (love the names) 11 and Betty who is ten and looks perfectly normal.
They are a family of wizards and witches, all with their own talents. They have their relatives buried in the back yard, who aren’t really dead at all and the children go to a special wizarding school – nothing like the namby pamby HP version of school.
The Floods are part of a series and the 1st called – Neighbours, is all about getting rid of their noisy, rude, lazy neighbours.
These stories are illustrated with foot notes on most pages explaining many parts of the text. It’s funny, creepy and different.
April 16, 2009
The first book in the Floods family series... dark, nasty, morbid but also quite hilarious! The Floods, an unusual family, have got new neighbours, very unpleasant ones, and these need to be gotten rid off.
The book's fairly short, which makes for a quick, refreshing read (or, in my case, listen) but contains heaps of lines that cracked me up! I found it highly entertaining... e.g. the somewhat normal daughter Betty Flood does away with one of the neighbours' children by turning the son into a fridge... "so, of course, Dickie died. ... but he died happy and very shiny." his last thought then went: "Wow! I am like the handsomest, most expensive fridge in the shops!" and the book continues... a nasty little tale, not exactly for children, at least not for nice ones... ;)
The book's fairly short, which makes for a quick, refreshing read (or, in my case, listen) but contains heaps of lines that cracked me up! I found it highly entertaining... e.g. the somewhat normal daughter Betty Flood does away with one of the neighbours' children by turning the son into a fridge... "so, of course, Dickie died. ... but he died happy and very shiny." his last thought then went: "Wow! I am like the handsomest, most expensive fridge in the shops!" and the book continues... a nasty little tale, not exactly for children, at least not for nice ones... ;)
August 3, 2008
Sebuah keluarga penyihir yang menyeramkan dan sadis. Sangat sadis. Sampai ke anak-anaknya. Mereka sadis kepada tetangga mereka yang menyebalkan. Dan menjijikkan. Akibatnya, aku tidak bisa memutuskan apakah aku menyukai serial ini atau tidak. Aku baca buku kedua dulu, yaa...
Review lengkapnya bisa dilihat di: http://bookquickies.wordpress.com/200...
Review lengkapnya bisa dilihat di: http://bookquickies.wordpress.com/200...
November 28, 2016
Kind of like the Addams Family. Okay, extremely like the Addams Family. But still adorable and really creepy with acts of. You know. cannibalism. Just the kind of thing I expect to read in the hour-long book I find deep in the children's section of the library.
But still really adorable, somehow, and also hilarious. So yeah. Do rec.
But still really adorable, somehow, and also hilarious. So yeah. Do rec.
March 20, 2013
this book is easy to read but i enjoyed reading it to my little sister
September 23, 2015
So much funnier than I anticipated! But I don't know why I doubted, I love his picture books so much!
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January 31, 2023used to go crazy for these people
January 7, 2018
Thompson, Colin The Floods: Good Neighbors, pgs.210 HarperCollins Childrens books. Language~PG, Sexual Content~G; Violence~PG;
This is the first book in a new series. This family’s story is a mix between The Series of Unfortunate Events and the Addam’s Family. The Floods are almost the exact copy of the Addam’s Family. The family consists of a beautiful dark haired mother, a slightly dumb father, and several weird children one of which is completely covered in hair like Thing.
Opposite of what the title suggests, the Floods are not good neighbors. Their neighbors begin to bother them so much that they come up with creative ways to get rid of them. This book is full of gruesome dark humor and the Flood’s neighbors have such terrible manners and treat each other horifically. This book will be enjoyed by those who can set aside reality and ethics and can just enjoy the dark humor.
EL/MS – Optional. Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2008...
This is the first book in a new series. This family’s story is a mix between The Series of Unfortunate Events and the Addam’s Family. The Floods are almost the exact copy of the Addam’s Family. The family consists of a beautiful dark haired mother, a slightly dumb father, and several weird children one of which is completely covered in hair like Thing.
Opposite of what the title suggests, the Floods are not good neighbors. Their neighbors begin to bother them so much that they come up with creative ways to get rid of them. This book is full of gruesome dark humor and the Flood’s neighbors have such terrible manners and treat each other horifically. This book will be enjoyed by those who can set aside reality and ethics and can just enjoy the dark humor.
EL/MS – Optional. Allison Madsen~Teen Librarian-SJO Public Library
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2008...
September 30, 2025
It started quite well, we enjoyed the beginning but shortly after I just found it repulsive. The floods have noisy neighbours and then kill them individually. There’s a brief mention of suicide that I wasn’t comfortable reading to my child. There is a lot of judgement. The dents that live next door are killed because the boy is mean, not quite as mean as the floods, the girl likes to go out and has boyfriends, the mum watches lots of tv and the dad drinks a lot. The policeman is called Ledouche and the illustration of the police cars number plate is PIGS. I just don’t think it sends a good message and let’s face it, the story has been done. The family aren’t relatable. The story is obscene and it’s really not very funny.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2020
A fun, fresh take on a classic genre, this book is full of dark, sarcastic humour that will definitely make you think twice about what to expect from witches and wizards. The Floods are just like any normal family -- there are children (even if one of them is literally a dog), the children go to school (even if the bus arrives in their basement), and they have horrible, inconsiderate neighbours.
What happens when those horrible, inconsiderate neighbours cross the line? The Floods decide to take matters into their own hands.
What happens when those horrible, inconsiderate neighbours cross the line? The Floods decide to take matters into their own hands.
December 4, 2017
I thought this book sounded interesting, but it was a hard read. It bears similarities to Lemony Snickett and other satirical writers that add extra side notes for readers but it wasn’t as interesting as it first looked. I am fully aware this would probably appeal to younger readers, especially with the more gruesome parts, but I will admit I was disappointed I didn’t enjoy it because I have enjoyed these quirky kinds of stories before.
March 8, 2018
Knyga patiks vaikams ir paaugliams, tačiau joje yra humoro, kurį įvertins tik suaugusieji. Keista, nes siužetas suaugusiems per daug paprastas. Kliūva ir per didelis kiekis veikėjų, kurie istorijai nieko neprideda. Tačiau šioje serijoje yra daugiau nei 10 knygų: gal skaitant kitas (arba skaitant visas iš eilės) būtų įdomiau.
3 - skaitant sau (gelbėja ne vaikams skirtas humoras), 4 - jeigu skaityčiau vaikams.
3 - skaitant sau (gelbėja ne vaikams skirtas humoras), 4 - jeigu skaityčiau vaikams.
November 12, 2025
I haven't read The Floods books since I was a kid, and I swear I do not remember them being so gross and horrifying. Maybe I was just a tougher, more devilish kid back then.
I always likened the Floods' family to the Addams family, but you know what? The Addams could never! The Floods are far more brutal, evil, and disgusting than the Addams', and I need Morticia and Gomez to adopt me and protect me from the Floods before I get turned into a toad...or worse!
I always likened the Floods' family to the Addams family, but you know what? The Addams could never! The Floods are far more brutal, evil, and disgusting than the Addams', and I need Morticia and Gomez to adopt me and protect me from the Floods before I get turned into a toad...or worse!
April 19, 2025
this was one of my fav book series as a child and really shaped my humour
i'm pleasantly surprised that i still find it funny and entertaining. the footnotes are a neat touch and there's lots of witty one liners
i'm pleasantly surprised that i still find it funny and entertaining. the footnotes are a neat touch and there's lots of witty one liners
April 13, 2018
Aimed at kids but full of adult innuendo and sarcasm. Highly amusing!
July 7, 2018
Back when I was a little this was my favorite book series.
October 13, 2019
The first book of this series is sensational. This is definitely a good book to capture the readers attention.
October 25, 2019
Nemalonūs, kerštingi pagrindiniai veikėjai ir karikatūriški, bet nejuokingi likę personažai.
March 3, 2020
Quando pequena, eu e minhas amigas adorávamos esse livro, e brigávamos para alugá-lo na biblioteca.
June 25, 2020
I love just how 'dark' this book can be hahahah
Like who would actually think they would 'kill' in this book. Not that am complaining. As i said before i love that part haha
Like who would actually think they would 'kill' in this book. Not that am complaining. As i said before i love that part haha
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 1, 2021DNF’d @ p. 128
Too many things that rubbed me the wrong way.
Too many things that rubbed me the wrong way.
October 17, 2021
Keista šurpi šeimynėlė, bet nieko keisto nes raganų ir burtininkų šeimynėlė . Patarčiau paskaityti, nes Man visai patiko.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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