Mr Gum and the Dancing Bear

Mr Gum #5

by Andy Stanton

The fifth Mr Gum story is shamelessly hilarious Good evening. Do you like bears called Padlock? Course you do. Do you like hot-air balloons? Course you do. Do you like tall sailing ships with mad sea captains, and horrifying old villains and words like "wab!," "tungler," and "kelp?" COURSE you do! Well, guess what, you lucky little nibbleheads? This book's got all of those things and a lot more besides. It's a rollicker! It's a frolicker! It's a funtime sun-time yollicker! So what you waiting for? GET READING!

Genres: Childrens, Fiction, Adventure, Humor, Animals, Middle Grade

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Andy Stanton lives in North London. He studied English at Oxford but they kicked him out. He has been a film script reader, a cartoonist, an NHS lackey and lots of other things. He has many interests, but best of all he likes cartoons, books and music (even jazz).

One day he’d like to live in New York or Berlin or one of those places because he’s got fantasies of bohemia. His favourite expression is ‘Good evening’ and his favourite word is ‘captain’. Andy has now written more than one book, but less than twenty.

-from publisher's website at http://www.mrgum.co.uk/author/

Reviews

[Jo Danilo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say enough good things about Mr Gum, even though he's a very bad man (and his mate's even worse). Mr Gum got my reluctant seven-year-old into reading when nothing else could, so he's pretty much a hero of mine.

A million thanks to Andy Stanton for his hilarious creation, which has had me and my kids in creases with its clever humour. If I knew where you lived, Andy, I'd come and give you a big sloppy kiss. (So it's probably best for you that I have no idea)

[Mark Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love these books.

Crazy characters and bizarre storylines aside, the real genius for me is the wordplay. Reading how Andy Stanton misuses similes, breaks rules of grammar and forces unthinkable rhymes and rules of three for comic effect is as good as Eric Morcambe’s misplayed Grieg.

You have to read these books.
You have to read them out loud.
You have to read them with a seven(ish)-year-old.

[Ngọc · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mình quá tuổi đọc rồi :)

Tóm gọn lại thì đây là cuộc hành trình của cô bé Polly đưa Khoá Móc tới nơi an toàn để tránh xa gã Kẹo Gôm.

Mình chẳng thấy hài hước hay thú vị ở chỗ nào cả...
Đây, đơn cử:

“Thuyền trưởng Braxin ngỡ ngàng nói, hai mắt ông lăn tròn như có người trượt băng trong đầu. “Có hoạ điên mới thế! Giờ thì chuẩn bị cho trận cười đến bay phổi ra khỏi lỗ mũi đi!”

À thế lại mới nhớ ra cách trình bày nhìn khó chịu thật sự :)

[Mairéad · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5 This quirky & heartwarming, short chapter book, suitable for children aged 7+ has just enough adventure, mild peril and humour to engage even the most reluctant readers! While this is the 5th book in the Mr Gum series it worked well as a standalone story.

[Hess · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Who likes bears? Everyone likes bears. I likes bears, you likes bears, this guy I know called Will Bulman likes bears. Everyone likes bears. They are truly the king of the jungle. They are nature's way of saying, 'here's what bears look like'. They are the best. They are the bears.

And guess what, bear-likers? You're in luck, because this story is all about a bear. Not just any bear, mind you, but a startlingly big and handsome specimen that came strolling into the little town of Lamonic Bibber one fine autumn morning. He was a proper fat shaggy rumble-me-tumble sort of a roly-poly flip-flap-flopper of a big brown bear, not like some of these cheap bears you see nowadays who have hardly got any legs and need batteries.

He was as tall as two men, or about forty hamsters if you could only manage to glue them on top of each other to prove it. And he weighed as much as two hundred watermelons, or roughly nineteen thousand grapes.

But what about his fur? Well, I am glad you asked me that because he was covered from head to foot in the most gorgeous, chocolate-coloured fur you have ever seen. It was a soft and deep and long, and it was glossy with healthy goodness, just like a bear's fur should be. And his eyes, oh his eyes, his precious hazel eyes! One look into those big beautiful blinkers and that was it, you were in love forever."

We finished this book 32 days ago.

It took us 3 nights to read, and it took this particular bear 789 words to walk into town.

That's about 500 words longer than my attention span.

And guess what? My distractible 6-year-old loved it.

He wants to read the sequel 🤦‍♀️

I am not sure how Stanton does it.

So ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ stars from him, and ⭐⭐ from me.

---

Previous read-out-loud reviews:
⮎ [books 0-10] Emil and the Detectives (6 yo)

[Reetta Saine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gummin juonet ovat kyllä kohtuullisen typeriä, mutta tässä lähelle neljää tähteä niin merenkulun että ikuisesti naurattavan kielen vuoksi.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

While still filled with hilarity, I’m either a little fatigued or this one suffered mildly from being away from Lamonic Bibber.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tanzbären sind toll. Man kann mit ihnen viel Geld verdienen und muss sich sonst nicht um sie kümmern. Das denkt zumindest der gemeine Mr. Gum. Aber er hat die Rechnung ohne Polly gemacht, die ihm seine fiese Suppe versalzen will.

Als der traurige Bär in Pollys Städtchen auftaucht, hat sie gleich Mitleid mit ihm. Aber bevor sie den Grund für seine Traurigkeit herausfinden kann, muss sie ihn vor Mr. Gum retten und erlebt ein unglaubliches Abenteuer.

Leider konnte ich die kleinere Leserin nicht für die Bücher von Andy Stanton interessieren, weil sie mittlerweile viel zu groß dafür ist. Aber ich kann mir vorstellen, dass es beim gemeinsamen Lesen einige Diskussionen gegeben hätte. Gerade, wie mit Vorhängeschloss (auf diesen Namen für einen Bär kann nur Polly kommen) umgegangen wird und wie viel oder wenig er daraus lernt. Das hat mir gut gefallen. Ein kleiner Zeigefinger der in eine schöne Geschichte verpackt ist.

[Ava Deeley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this book a 3-star rating because it was quite boring at the beginning, but as you got further into the story, it got a lot better and more exciting. My favourite character was Polly because she seemed really kind.I liked the part of the story , when the animals all came together and made Mr Gum and Billy dance. I didn't like it when the pirates threw Polly and Padlock the bear of the nantucket tickler ( which is their ship).

[Tiina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This did not quite reach the level of previous Mr. Gums - I missed Friday O'Leary and unfortunately did not grow fond of the bear (and the cruel world).
BUT it was still hilarious in many spots and so insane, and the maps in the end were really cool.

The daughter did laugh too, it wasn't just me.

[Matilda Wilkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This girl found a bear and mr gum said “if my friend was a bear I would make it dance and collect money and say oh billy give me the money or I will kick ya in the ribs,so billy will give me the money and I will still kick him in the ribs “

[Grace Sargeant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my favorite Mr Gum, but still pretty funny.

[Abdul Rehman]

Enter your review (Optional)

[Radhika · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lovely book

[Josh · Rating 3 out of 5]

heart warming

[Francesca Pashby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series, body and soul. These books are FUNTY!

[Hamida Chowdhury · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really don't like this book I prefer the 1 book

[Yeji · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75⭐️
One of my favorite ones in the series. This book deals with the topic of animal abuse in the most lighthearted and funny way ever! I do recommend.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it l love how the sailors sing there song

[Lavinia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about Polly (the little super-hero girl) who finds a random bear in her town, whom she named Padlock. Mr Gum and his filthy friend Billy William III are back, prodding and poking the bear and trying to make the poor thing dance - just to get a hat of silver and gold!!

This book was more than funny (if to be Billy, 'funty') and got me laughing till my stomach hurt and I could laugh no longer. If I was asked, 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' got me off my liking for Mr Gum, but that was the boring beginning. Now I'd read them ZAP ZAP ZWINKY ZOO!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book and would recommend it because it's very hilarious. It made me laugh out loud!! One example of a funny part --"Was Polly the type of girl to give up? Yes, she was ... I mean no, she wasn't". I really enjoyed the section at the back of the book where they showed a map of where each of the characters was in the story. The villains are very stupid which really fits their character.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are a joy to read. They have a a really quirky sense of humour that appeals to both children and adults alike. Mr Gum is such a hideous villain and the heroine Polly is only a young child. This time the main other lead is Padlock the Bear. The captain and crew of the Nantucket Tickler are a really key part of the action and comedy in this one too.

I love all the characters in Lamonic Bibber an can't wait to read the next one.

[Lynn Merriman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilariously daft! Our first encounter with Mr Gum- and there will be more!! Funny and just plain silly in places. Imaginatively written and bith the text and the font encourage daftness and the putting on of voices. My daughter , and I, were frequently reduced to tears of hilarity- no so much of a quiet relaxing read but definately exhausting!! Would recommend it to any fun loving parent and child.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this book Mr Gum exploits a dancing bear. Polly saves the bear and meets some very funny characters on the way. Mr Gum and his sidekick are punished by being made to dance for the pirates. This is a very funny and enjoyable book. I think it is suitable for ks2 and would be a good book to encourage a reluctant reader.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Girl saves bear from mean Mr. Gum and Billy William the Third's evil plot to sell tickets to the dancing bear show. "Shabba me Whiskers!" This is fun! Kids/Adults who like Brit humour will love this series.

[Tina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I dislike the idea of animal cruelty, in bear dancing - I don't find Mr. Gum very suitable for children at all on many accounts. I would reluctantly rate this book suitable for 10 year olds and upwards, but to read other reviews that state 7yr olds have read this, is shocking!

[Holly]

Won "funniest book for children aged 7-14" Nov 2008
http://www.booktrust.org.uk/Prizes-an...

[Siobhan · Rating 5 out of 5]

awesomness awesomness awesomness

[Nipper · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved it