Uncle Gobb and the Green Heads

by Michael Rosen, Neal Layton (Illustrator)

The second uproarious adventure from the comic pairing of Michael Rosen and Neal Layton sees Malcolm and the peculiar Uncle Gobb go to America, each with a cunning plan ...

Even though Malcolm managed to bamboozle and confuzle Uncle Gobb in the last book (hooray!), it was only temporary (boo!). Uncle Gobb is still living with him and still roaring at him about peas and poetry and Peter Parker.

This time the plan to get rid of Uncle Gobb has to be mega. It has to be epic. It has to involve America, the Jumblies, the Genie (of course), Aunty Brenda the Mender and Malcolm's long-lost dad. But Malcolm doesn't know that Uncle Gobb also has a plan. A plan to get rid of Malcolm once and for all ...

A bonkers book about standing up for yourself, from two crazily creative people. Sure to delight fans of David Walliams, Andy Stanton and Tom Gates.

272 pages, Hardcover

Published April 11, 2017

About the author

Michael Rosen, a recent British Children’s Laureate, has written many acclaimed books for children, including WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury, and I’M NUMBER ONE and THIS IS OUR HOUSE, both illustrated by Bob Graham. Michael Rosen lives in London.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[Jadespringymandarin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious!

[Owen Townend · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was amazed at how funny I found Uncle Gobb and The Dread Shed. Uncle Gobb was so well-realised in that book that I just rolled with the sudden existence of genies, the weasel interruptions and all other kid-friendly silliness.

While this sequel develops the characters more in thoughtful and challenging ways, the titular uncle from hell doesn't really have much to do. He has literally become too dense to realise what havoc he could cause.

The plot is fine but I really don't see why Uncle Gobb was involved at all. If anything this seems to be a midway point for a trilogy or series, setting up for grander and hopefully sillier adventures.
Mind you, the 'questions' at the end did have me snickering and snorting...

[Rhyllis Bignell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Uncle Gobb is that really annoying relative who’s overstayed his welcome. Poor Malc and his mother have to endure his constant roaring, his interfering ways and his opinions about everything from learning history, to poetry and education. ‘Uncle Gobb and the Green Heads’ is the second over the top story that sees Malcolm, his peculiar Uncle Gobb, their family and friends off to America. Malc’s dad lives there and he really wants to reconnect. Along the way Uncle Gobb’s genie ‘Doctor Roop the Doop’ and Malcolm’s genie who streams out of his nose provide comedic moments and varying levels of assistance. Both protagonists have ulterior motives for travelling.

This is definitely a light hearted story, where questioning an adult’s actions and motives aren’t priorities. What a convoluted plot, with stream-of consciousness asides, absolute silliness, jokes, fun chapter headings, and fact-filled text boxes interspersed with Layton’s bold cartoons. This book is suitable for the younger reader who enjoys this humourous style of writing and silly characters doing crazy things.

[Vincent Ripley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chase the rainbows catch the rainbows. Fall over a rainbow. I did not find it funny. That's the way the rainbow shines. Watch out for the Weasels. Catch you next time.

[Tulin Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a very good book I have it at home I read all of it!!!!!