Ο Όλιβερ και οι θαλάσσιες περούκες

A Not-So-Impossible Tale #2

by Philip Reeve

Ο Όλιβερ μεγάλωσε σε οικογένεια εξερευνητών – αλλά τώρα θα ζήσει τη μεγαλύτερη περιπέτεια της ζωής του!
Μια υπέροχη ιστορία με εκπληκτική αφήγηση, θαλάσσιες κομμώσεις, πρωτεύοντα του αλμυρού νερού και σαρκαστικά φύκια – όλοι θα λατρέψουν αυτό το βιβλίο!
Παρέα με τους νέους φίλους του –ένα ιδιότροπο γέρικο άλμπατρος, μια μυωπική γοργόνα κι ένα φιλικό νησί που ακούει στο όνομα Κλιφ–, ο Όλιβερ αναζητάει τους γονείς του που έχουν εξαφανιστεί. Όμως, προτού θέσει σε εφαρμογή το σχέδιο διάσωσης που έχει καταστρώσει, θα πρέπει να αντιμετωπίσει μια στρατιά από ενοχλητικούς θαλάσσιους πιθήκους.

Genres: Fantasy, Adventure, Middle Grade, Childrens, Humor, Fiction, Friendship

208 pages, Hardcover

First published September 5, 2013

About the author

Philip Reeve was born and raised in Brighton, where he worked in a bookshop for a number of years while also co-writing, producing and directing a number of no-budget theatre projects.

Philip then began illustrating and has since provided cartoons for around forty children's books, including the best-selling Horrible Histories, Murderous Maths and Dead Famous series.

Railhead, published by Oxford University Press, will be published in the UK in October 2015

Pugs of the Frozen North, written with Sarah McIntyre, is out now.

Reviews

[Ash Wednesday · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 STARS

And then all of a sudden, there were too many monkeys.

I’m half-tempted to review this with Near-sighted mermaid! Talking Islands! Sarcastic Weeds! SEA MONKEYS! and leave it at that. Because really, if those things wouldn’t perk your interest then I cannot do much else. Also, I’m feeling a little out of my element critiquing a children’s book that is a straightforward adventure story with none of the subtext and metaphors where a broken mirror symbolises unfulfilled dreams and what-not.

So for whatever divine or voodoo reason I got pre-approved for this, I'm just so happy I have now found the genre where I cannot bring myself to complain about anything seeing as I’m too busy having fun.

After years of exploring the world with his adventurous parents, Oliver Crisp is excited to finally go home and lead a normal life. Except soon as they got to Deepwater Bay, his thrill-seeking parents were immediately wooed by the exotic islands close to their seaside house. But when his parents’ inflatable dinghy washed back to shore empty and the islands that they meant to explore seem to have vanished, the spirit of the Exploring Crisps takes over and leads Oliver to an adventure not quite what he expected.

As he searches for his parents, Oliver runs into a timid rambling Island he names Cliff; the overbearing albatross living in Cliff’s shore, Mr. Culpeper; and a quirky mermaid on her way to the optical store, Iris. Cliff swears to help Oliver find his parents if they could help him win the Seawigs Contest. Every year, different rambling islands meet in The Hallowed Shallows to see who acquired the best seawig ornaments in their rambling. Everything was going smoothly when the island Thrlstone turned up. With a boy named Stacey de Lacey and his army of sea monkeys.

”My name,” the boy said importantly, “is Stacey de Lacey.”
“But that’s a girl’s name!” blurted Oliver.
Stacey de Lacey’s face turned a dark shade of red. “Silence!” he shouted. “Stacey is one of those names that can be for a boy or a girl! Like Hilary! Or Leslie!”

What I really liked about this book, apart from the great imagination behind the rambling islands, was that the humor works so well for both adults and kids. I can imagine reading this to my niece and cracking up over the Sarcastic Weeds, Stacey de Lacey and his sea monkeys.

I loved how while this was action packed and funny it also inspires lessons of hope, friendship, finding strength in the most unexpected places and that bravery doesn’t only come out of exotic adventures, but also in standing up for what you believe in. All told in a remarkably light and entertaining narrative with beautiful illustrations. Since I read the digital copy, it took a bit of time for the next page to load since most are heavy on the graphics, but I didn’t mind it much because it allowed me to examine the little quirky details Sarah McIntyre placed in the scenes. Plus the About the Authors and Dedications page were so cute and clever I want to adopt them!

I’m not quite sure of the point in Mr. Culpeper’s character but I truly loved Iris. For a story that would probably appeal better to young boys, I found Iris as a strong independent mermaid who needs no sailor to sing to a good anchor and balance to the book.

This went on longer than I intended but for when you want to be the cool mom/dad/aunt/uncle; for the moments when you just want to read and not be disappointed; or for that time when you just want to see the word “monkey-handled”… this does the job wonderfully.

Review Copy Courtesy of Random House for Young Readers (THANK YOU!!!). Quotes taken from an uncorrected proof.

Also on Booklikes.

[Shelby *trains flying monkeys* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oliver Crisp. The new name in Super-guys. This kid totally rocks. He finally is getting a real home and before he even gets settled down he ends up having to find his wild exploration crazed parents.
He ends up teaming up with a near sighted slightly chunky mermaid named Iris. Who is completely awesome sauce. She doesn't care to sit around primping and singing like the other mermaid ho's. (No the book didn't call them ho's..I did.)


He also has help from a grumpy albatross and a wandering island named Cliff.
The wander in search of items for Cliff's sea wig so that Cliff can win the sea-wig competition and hopefully find Oliver's parents.



He goes up against a Sarcastic Sea
Sailors fear it because the weeds keep making horrid, hurtful comments about them.
A band of monkeys

And a Sea Captain named Stacey deLacy (yes it's a girls name)

All in all I can't wait for this book to become available to purchase. My kid is getting a copy.

i>I received an ARC copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Michelle Pickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter is having trouble with the way reading is taught at her school. One method is taught there, while I taught her how to read before she started school using another method. This has caused a lot of confusion and some heavy self esteem issues for her. She doesn't feel "as smart" as the other kids because of her reading.

We read together everyday and then again at bedtime. She started reading Oliver and the Seawigs during her afternoon reading time. She read longer than I require her to...she didn't want to stop! YAY! When bedtime came that night, she read...Oliver and the Seawigs and finished it. This might not seem like a big deal to us, or even compared to another child's abilities. But watching her struggle during the past school year and seeing her self esteem slip a little more each day was excruciating. Then to see her get excited over a book was thrilling. And even more...she finished it in a day! We had an impromptu party with popcorn and the works to celebrate.

And I could see some of the excitement of reading returning in her eyes.

So this book, its authors, get a huge recommendation--not from me, but from a little girl who's spark for reading flickered a little brighter the day she picked Oliver and the Seawigs up for reading time.

[Holly Glem · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so cute! We read it aloud after reading Cakes in Space by the same author, and I liked this one more, although my kids liked the former better. But still loved both.

This is a classically fun adventure story. We loved Iris the mermaid, and were amused by the sea monkeys and all the others we met on the way.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect for Y3!

Funny, a bit ridiculous and exciting tale of exploring, being brave and making new friends.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story! It's very creative and the illustrations are wonderful. It's nice to see an adventure story geared toward younger readers. I do think the vocabulary is probably fairly challenging for its intended age group, but I don't necessarily think that's a bad thing--just something to be aware of if you're recommending it for a reluctant reader. Overall, I recommend it!

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced digital copy.

[Kalina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
A lovely book to expand children's range of vocabulary. It seems to me as if it was written precisely with that objective in mind. There are many activities that can be done while reading it.

[Diamond · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

"‘No, this is a completely different place," said Iris. "It's called the Sarcastic Sea, and sailors fear it because the weed keeps making horrid, hurtful comments about them.'"

This was an incredibly adorable book. When I first got invited to read this book, I had no idea what it was about. I saw the title, cover, and that it was middle grade, and said yep I'll give it a shot. I'm really glad I did. Because even though sea-wigs are not some type of fluffy animal, they are still a very cute and amusing concept.

The book is about a boy, Oliver, who grows up with parents who are adventurers. He's excited because they've finally adventured the world enough to have seen all they wanted to see, and are about to settle down and live in a house (with beds!) and he can finally go to school (for the first time). Oliver's pretty darn excited when they arrive. But, as his parents go off to explore the surrounding islands, something happens. They don't return. Oliver goes in search of them and, as you can imagine, an adventure ensues.

The book is short, so I don't need to say much more about the plot except that it is perfectly paced. The illustrations are really amazing. It's not often that I see a book with illustrations as riveting as the actual story. I found myself admiring them for several moments and having to force myself to go back to read and stop giggling over the cute pictures. It helps that the story includes wonderful characters to see drawn: such as a chubby mermaid who is nearsighted, little monkeys, sarcastic sea (made up of sarcastic comment-throwing seaweed) and islands that talk and move. What are sea-wigs, you might wonder? Well, they're the "wigs" these roving islands create for themselves by piling junk on their shores. They're made up of numerous things...wrecked ships, animals, plants, chests of treasure, etc. Creative, eh?

I will definitely be purchasing this book for my niece and nephew. Heck, I will probably end up getting myself a copy too just to see it on my shelf. The thought of being able to open up and see that chubby mermaid makes me very, very happy.

[SoWrongItsRANDI {Bell, Book & Candle} · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review

4.5 stars



This was so cute! I really like the imagination in this book. It most certainly brought me back to when I was in elementary school.

Plot
Oliver Crisp's parent go missing while exploring an island, and its up to Oliver and a few friends he meets along the way, to rescue them

Characters
Very likable. I liked how you most certainly can relate to each character; even the bad ones haha.

Writing
Fantastic! I just love the imaginative twist about the islands. Very clever.

I recommend it! Its not just for kids!

[Alice Chandler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book. Don't think I have ever read a book so quickly. Lovely storyline that appeals to all readers and interests and characters that you can't help but build a bond with. Who would have thought you could feel sympathy for a rambling isle!! Brilliant illustrations that really add to the book while also telling a story themselves. Will definitely be recommending this one to children, family and friends, while also using within my teaching due to the endless cross-curricular opportunities and lessons within the tale itself.

[Matti Karjalainen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Englantilainen Philip Reeve on murtautunut mainioilla teoksillaan omien suosikkieni joukkoon lasten- ja nuortenkirjallisuuden sarjassa, ja niinpä päätin tarttua myös miehen uusimpien suomennosten joukkoon kuuluvaan kirjaan "Oliver ja meriperuukit" (Aurinko, 2017).

Oliver-nimisen jampan vanhemmat ovat kuuluisia tutkimusmatkailijoita, jotka ovat yhdessä kolunneet kaikki maailman kartoittamattomat kolkat ja kokeneet yhdessä hurjia seikkailuja. Poikaansa he ovat kuljettaneet mukanaan. Viimein perhe on kuitenkin päättänyt asettua aloilleen ja muuttaa mukavaan meren rannalla sijaitsevaan taloon. Oliver on riemuissaan, pääseehän hän viimeinkin kouluun, mutta vanhempia tuntuu vähän harmittavan.

Vanhemmat havaitsevat kuitenkin riemukseen lähistölle ilmestyneen saaria, ja lähtevät niitä tutkimaan - ja jäävät sille tielleen. Nyt Oliverin on lähdettävä pelastusretkelle, jonka aikana hän joutuu mitä mielikuvituksellisimpaan seikkailuun, jossa häntä auttavat äreä albatrossi, likinäköinen merenneito Iiris ja saari nimeltä Kari.

No niin. "Oliver ja meriperuukit" on kaikessa älyvapaudessaan ihan vekkuli seikkailu, jolle Sarah McIntyren ilmeikäs kuvitus antaa tarinalle mukavasti lisäpotkua. Eihän tämä nyt ole yhtä hyvä kuin Kävelevät koneet tai Buster Bayliss -sarja, mutta kelpo lastenromaani nyt kuitenkin!

Vinkataan lukutaidon salliessa jo kakkosille, mutta ainakin kolmosille ja nelosille.

[Reetta Saine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Laytonin, Pastisin, Walliamsin jne. jalanjäljissä käännetään aikamoisia määriä hyvin tyypillistä anglo-(poika)-huumoria, jossa mennään ja kohelletaan ja kuvaillaan kaikkea hassua äärimmäisen tarkasti siinä samalla. Joudutaan pulaan ja selvitään ja yksityiskoulujen heput on aina pahiksia. Mukana muutama nenännostaja-aristokraatti, josta luokkayhteiskunnassa elävät ymmärtävät päivitellä elämän tylyyttä.

Samaan kastiin nuorilta Poika nimeltä Joulu ja aika lähelle Ada Gootitkin, jotka kuitenkin pelastaa kirjalliset viittaukset.

Itse alan jo väsyä tähän genreen, mutta ihanan helppoa vinkata ja mukulat tykkää. Kieli on onneksi tosi hyvää!

[Barb Middleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a bird... It's a plane... It's a seawig! A newfangled superhero you don't want to miss. Ten-year-old Oliver Crisp's parents ironically go missing the day they stop exploring and move into the old family home. Oliver is unpacking the car when his parents spy a bunch of islands in the bay. Jumping into a dinghy, they disappear along with the islands by the time Oliver sets out to rescue them. He sails out to a lone island and meets an albatross named, "Culpeper," who explains that the islands move. Oliver snags a ride and meets a far-sighted mermaid, Iris, who is different from the average mer-person. She's smart, can't see a lick, can't sing, could care less about looks, and is kind. She explains that the only time she "caterwauled" like other mermaids she lured a walrus instead of a handsome fisherman because she thought it a man. She bumps into everything and the reader never knows what silly mishap she's going to have. She meets Oliver because she was on her way to the optician but got lost. Har, har. The gags are nonstop with adult and kid humor. When the island turns into a talking rock-giant... I was hooked... line and sinker. Plenty of action, humor, and odd characters for all.

The rock-giant character reminds me of trolls. We used to look for troll heads on the rocky bluffs by the Mississippi River as kids. My grandma said trolls slept as rocks. We told troll stories to scare each other. Trolls lived under bridges and could be ferocious or dumb. I even had a creepy troll doll with pink hair. A seawig is like a troll and can be kind or mean. A seawig is a floating island with the grassy top being its hair and its nose and eyes on the rocks underwater. Seawigs talk, but not often. When Oliver hears his parents are headed for the Hallowed Shallows where a wig competition called, "The Night of the Seawigs," is held every seven years, he's determined to get there. He must talk the seawig that they are on into entering the competition. Oliver gives the seawig a name, Cliff, and concocts a plan with Iris to get Cliff the best wig for the contest.

The characters are distinct and memorable. Mr. Culpeper is an overbearing curmudgeonly albatross that can be a pain in the neck, but also a friend to count on. He blames Oliver when things go wrong, verbally opposes risk-taking adventures, is a know-it-all, but he supports their rescue and helps navigate through threatening fog. The sea monkeys are mischievous, not-so-bright creatures that are fast, "Sea monkeys spilled down Thurlstone's face like a river of snot." Nothing like a splattering of snot humor to draw in the young readers. Seawig Thurlstone is a villain that turned wicked when human sacrifices were made on the temple at its top and the blood trickled down inside him.

Stacey de Lacey is Thurlstone's partner and the two will cheat, lie, and steal to win the contest. The two villains have captured Oliver's parents and are going to sacrifice them for the contest. All you readers traumatized by having a tease-me-till-I-scream name will nod in understanding or shake your head at Stacey de Lacey's inferiority complex as he explains turning to evil after kids teased him about his girlie name. When he frees the sea monkeys from their pods therefore getting their zealous loyalty, the narrator says, "If Stacey de Lacey had been a different sort of boy, he might have thought, 'I've found a friend!' But Stacey had never really wanted friends. He thought, 'I've found a servant!'"Swirl into the current some Sarcastic Seaweed and you'll be snort-laughing snot down your own face. Dive right in.

The winner of the contest gets to be Chief Island and tell the other Rambling Isles, as they are nicknamed, where to travel. They can take the best flotsam to add to their wig too. When a seawig stops meandering, he or she settles in a certain place. This is more like dying. Oliver describes settled islands as "lifeless." When Cliff decides to "settle" because Thurlstone stole his wig, Oliver and Iris are desperate to get him to change his mind and not give up. Sometimes I feel like my life overseas is like being a seawig or Rambling Isle. I'm like Oliver's parents who are addicted to exploring. Some day, we too, will have to settle and stop traveling. Ummm... that doesn't mean I want to "settle" and die. Just so we are clear.

The author cleverly adds child-appealing touches such as having a resolution that involves tickling or a villain turned bad from name-calling. Add in shipwrecks, seawigs that look like grass-covered Easter Island statues, hyperactive monkeys, crotchety seaweed, and a mermaid that can shatter glass with her singing and you have a great rumpus. Sarah McIntyre's black, white, and blue illustrations add so much humor to the story. The big eyes on the children make them look curious, while on the parents overexcited or scared. The seawigs are my favorite. Cliff looks like a baby Pacman and Thurlstone looks like a petrified globmonster.

Add in themes of friendship and perseverance and you've got some depth to the plot. When Cliff decides to rescue Oliver, he does so out of friendship and doing the right thing. He chooses to not be a victim, but try and make a change whether it works or not. When Cliff's being threatened, Oliver in turn saves him. That's what friends are for. Friends are also good to go swimming with in the ocean. Grab your flippers and goggles and flip into the pages of this book with its unusual superhero. Glub, glub, glub.

[Helena · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seikkailuhenkeä ja suolatyrskyjä! Oliver ja meriperuukit on mainiosti kuvitettu ja kivalla tahdilla etenevä kertomus kahden tutkimusmatkailijan pojasta, joka joutuu lähtemään pelastusretkelle, kun vanhemmat katoavat vaeltavien saarten matkaan. Apuna Oliverilla on likinäköinen merenneito Iiris, ja vaeltava saari nimeltä Kari. Tarinassa oli jotakin sadunkaltaista ja käänteet eivät ole kovinkaan hurjia, eli tätä voisi suositella heti, kun lukutaito riittää kahdensadan (tosin pienen ja kuvitetun) sivun lukemiseen.

[Bookish Devil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is a hilarious account of the adventures encountered by Oliver, who goes on a quest in search of his lost parents who are Mad Explorers.
The illustrations are spot on and they evoke laughter. The diverse set of characters worked out really well.

Altogether, it was a fun, adventurous read.

[Mrs G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great adventure story for LKS2 featuring explorers, a cantankerous albatross, a short-sighted mermaid, sarcastic seaweed (oh really...) and moving, talking islands (among other things). I can imagine my class giggling a lot throughout this one - a class read I think. Fab.

[adik miftakhur · Rating 3 out of 5]

honestly, I loved the book. but, I felt like there's something missing in it. idk

[Ben Trevail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our next class read for LKS2 I think - definitely perfect for Y3 but enough exciting vocabulary for Y4 to enjoy. Much preferred it to Cakes In Space.

[Jennifer Sneed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charming early middle grade book. Plenty of adventure, excitement, and humor to keep the most reluctant of readers turning the page.

[Heidi Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

So creative. What a cute story!

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben asked for his own copy of this one, so that's a five star rating.

[Nacho Patiño · Rating 5 out of 5]

lost for words!:-0

[Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought the book was amazing because M.R Culpepper/Walking Albatros is super duper funny and poor Iris is short eye sighted so she finds it hard to concentrate [poor thing][SORRY IRIS!]
Ruby, 6 yrs

[Dawn Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally published on my blog ReadLove.

Gasp! Oliver Crisp is actually excited at the prospect of going to school! Because he’s spent nearly the whole of his ten years in the wake of his explorer parents on one adventure after another, he’s never set foot in a school. So when the Crisps have mapped every uncharted territory and climbed every mountain imaginable, they set out to settle down. Though “the house he [is] coming home to [is] one [he's] only seen on vacations,” Oliver Crisp is beyond thrilled. But, as the Crisp family pulls into view of their seaside home, Mr. and Mrs. Crisp spot some unfamiliar islands in the distance. And before he’s even finished unpacking, Oliver’s domestic bliss has turned into another adventure — his parents have disappeared!

Reeve’s refreshingly original story has Oliver, who sets off to find his parents, meeting and befriending all manner of peculiar sea creatures: There’s a Wandering Albatross — excuse me, a Diomeda exulans named Mr. Culpeper — a near-sighted young mermaid named Iris whose ill-attempted siren song was actually directed at a walrus, and an utterly unremarkable island — a large rock, really — whom Oliver names Cliff. (Cliff, you see, was so unexceptional that passing sailors never bothered to name him. Unless you count that “Danger: Submerged Rocks” sign….)

In addition to finding his parents, Oliver is out to help poor Cliff win The Night of the Seawigs, a competition between the Rambling Isles who wander the seas collecting interesting objects to wear like crowns, or rather, wigs atop their heads.

No heroic quest is complete without obstacles. Just as Odysseus braved Sylla and Charybdis, Oliver stands tall against the insults of Sarcastic Seaweed and outlasts a swarming tide of sea monkeys. And, with the help of his new friends, the daring and brave Oliver confronts the evil giant island, The Thurlstone, and Stacey de Lacey, the piratical bully with a girlish name.

Happily, Oliver and his motley band of outcasts discover that even their perceived weaknesses can be strengths. And that there is no better prize than good friends.

Verdict: 5 of 5 hearts. A Delightfully Imaginative Tale of Derring-Do.

Philip Reeve’s Oliver and the Seawigs is an endearingly idiosyncratic tale that, together with the whimsical three-color illustrations of Sarah McIntyre, will capture the imaginations of intermediate readers ready to venture out from early chapter books into more challenging waters. (Since this is the start of a series, further fantastical journeys await! Next up: Cakes in Space !)

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I would like to thank Random House and NetGalley for allowing me access to the title. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

[Sara Grochowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

When your parents are explorers, you never stay in one place for long. Oliver dreams of a place to call home - a normal bedroom, school, and friends. Finally, after there is nothing new to discover or explore, Oliver's parents decide to return home. While his parents explore the curious islands near their home, Oliver settles in, but it doesn't take long to realize that something has gone awry. The islands are suddenly gone, taking his parents with them! Oliver sets out on one last adventure to find his parents and uncover the mystery of the missing islands. Along the way he'll team up with a near-sighted mermaid, help style a sea wig, and take on some meddlesome sea monkeys. Oliver and the Seawigs is full of cleverly imagined characters and humorous illustrations.

This first 'Not-So-Impossible Tale' from Reeve and McIntyre is so much fun! Oliver and the Seawigs combines a laugh-out-loud funny story with illustrations that perfectly complement the text, a format that is both engaging and non-threatening to beginning readers. The recommended age range for this title is 4 to 8, but I think it's best suited for strong beginning readers (1st/2nd grade) and slightly older, reluctant and struggling readers... though I imagine a 4 year old with a taste for adventure and a healthy attention span would enjoy this one as a read-aloud. That said, some of the humor might be a bit over their heads; for example, the Sargasso Sea becomes the Sarcastic Sea, full of droll, sarcastic seaweed that constantly pokes fun at Oliver and his new found friends - potentially still funny for a young listener, but more so for the adult reader!

Not only is this story full of adventure and humor, it has strong themes of loneliness and friendship. For various reasons, any of the characters in Oliver and the Seawigs have never had proper friends. Throughout the story, the characters deal with their loneliness and desire for friends in different ways, sometimes in positive ways, sometimes not. For example, the young sea captain who takes Oliver's parents captive does so as part of a grand scheme to gain power and attention, a desire directly influenced by his loneliness and lack of friends.

I thoroughly enjoyed this first 'Not-So-Impossible Tales' book and very much look forwards to the next, Cakes in Space!

[Liviania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Philip Reeve's latest novel, OLIVER AND THE SEAWIGS, is an interesting thing. It's a bit more complex than a chapter book, but simpler than a middle grade novel. It's heavily illustrated (almost every page!) but I wouldn't call it a graphic hybrid because there isn't use of sequential graphic scenes. The illustrations enhance the story, especially a dual-page spread of the seawigs, but they never tell the story.

The eponymous Oliver is a young boy who travels the world (reluctantly) with his explorer parents. One day he wakes up to find them missing. It turns out he is on a Rambling Island, one that moved away while Mr. and Mrs. Crisp were exploring. Oliver gets to know the island, called Cliff, and a near-sighted mermaid named Iris. Together, the three try to create a magnificent seawig for Cliff. The Rambling Islands have an annual competition for who can have the best seawig. Unfortunately, a meaner island, populated by monkeys and a boy named Stacey de Lacey, doesn't plan to play fair.

It's a cute little book that will appeal to fans of Neil Gaiman's FORTUNATELY THE MILK. There are some really clever elements, such as how the island's guts work. And even writing for a younger audience, Reeve knows how to turn a phrase. OLIVER AND THE SEAWIGS is independent reader friendly, but not too simple.

Sarah McIntyre's accompanying two-color art has clean lines, big eyes, and a surprising amount of detail. The illustrations look extremely simple, but there are often parts of dense visual information. I can see readers, especially young rereaders, getting a kick out of lingering over the illustrations. (And all of the two-page spreads are just magnificent.) I also recommend going to her site to download some activity sheets.

I think OLIVER AND THE SEAWIGS is a fun adventure novel for young readers. I'm definitely planning to share it with my niece, who is now reading on her own.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't not like it. I could easily say I liked it well enough. But you know how there are certain books that you read and get excited about and just can't wait to talk about? This wasn't that kind of book for me. While there was not one thing about the book that I didn't like, I just didn't find myself loving it. I don't know why readers feel, in some ways, obligated to love everything they read.

I liked the opening paragraphs. "Oliver Crisp was only ten years old, but they had been a busy and exciting ten years, because Oliver's mother and father were explorers. They had met on top of Mount Everest. They had been married at the Lost Temple of Amon Hotep, and had spent their honeymoon searching for the elephants' graveyard. And when young Oliver was born, they simply bought themselves a back carrier and an off-road baby carriage and went right on exploring." See. It starts off cute and promising. And it doesn't disappoint. You know from the start what kind of book this will be. And you get just that.

I liked the characters. I liked Oliver Crisp. I liked the wandering albatross, Mr. Culpeper. I liked the near-sighted mermaid, Iris. I liked the island, Cliff. I liked how they met and became friends. You can certainly see this is a unique story.

I liked the pacing. It is a nice, imaginative adventure story starring unique characters.

I like the illustrations. I like the layout. Many kids, like Lewis Carroll's Alice, do look for stories with plenty of pictures! It's a sign of it not being horribly dull. If you share Alice's opinion on books that is.

[D'ale lui Damian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oliver și perucile de mare

Oliver este un băiețel de 10 ani ce până la această vârstă a fost în călătorii alături de părinții lui exploratori( nici la școală nu fusese până atunci).
Dar acum părinții s-au gândit să se întoarcă acasă, într-o căsuță din Golful Hăului-de-Ape în orașul St. Porrocks.
Când au ajuns "acasa" părinții lui au observat mai multe insulițe neexplorate, necartografiate, asa că au făcut ce ar face orice explorator...le-ar cerceta..
Din păcate, în timp ce Oliver se afla în casă, părinții lui au dispărut alături de o parte din insule, așa că a făcut ce ar trebui să facă orice explorator, să plece în căutarea lor.
A dat peste o insulă hoinară, pe care a numit-o Cliff( o insulă ce vorbeste)pe care se afla un albatros Culpeper și care i-a spus că toate insulele se îndreaptă spre o ceremonie, aceea a Perucilor -de-Mare, o ceremonie unde cea mai frumoasă insulă încărcată cu diverse chestii, este desemnată și aleasă să conducă insulele pe o perioadă de 7 ani. În călătoria lor se alătură și sirena Iris, cea care căutase un oftamolog, deoarece suferea de miopie și tot ceea care le destăinuie unde se află scufundat un submarin plin cu aur.
Cliff reușește să-și însușească submarinul, dar ii este furat de insula Thustone-pe care se aflau părinții lui Oliver și cel care îi era aliat -un băiat rău Stacey-de-Lacey.
Totul e bine când se sfârșește cu bine, Oliver i-a avut alături pe prietenii săi (albatrosul, sirena), i se alătură și Cliff și reușește să-și salveze părinții.

[Kasey Cocoa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son (9) gave this book two fully raised thumbs up along with a toothy grin. He says it's a fun to read story that he did not want to put down. Mind you, he was reading it on MY iPad. He says the story was entertaining and original with really cool illustrations. We easily give this five stars and recommend it for all young readers. We received an evaluation copy in exchange for our honest opinions. Read more reviews and enter giveaways for books, kindles, cash and more on my blog.

[Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sé que dije que no iba a valorar los libros que leo con mi hijo porque él le da 5 estrellas a todos, pero en este caso las 5 estrellas son mías, porque Oliver y las Marpelucas me ha traído un montón de recuerdos de mis propias lecturas de cuando tenía 8-9 años. Tiene aventuras, risas, una isla mala malísima, sirenas que no saben cantar y un niño explorador al rescate de sus padres. Muy muy recomendable, y definitivamente lo mejor que hemos leído en lo que va de año.