Hopping weird by Ahn Do
Illus. by Jules Faber. Weirdo book 13. Scholastic, 2019.
ISBN: 9781742997926.
(Ages: 7-9) Themes: Kangaroos, Animals - care and health. Step
straight into the crazy world of Weir Do and his family as Mum's new
job impacts on their home life. She's working as a nurse at the
animal hospital and she brings some of the sick animals home. Weir
shows Kenny the koala how to chew gum leaves, of course they are
toxic and unpleasant tasting and he spits them out! Fun and games
happen when they dress the koala in little brother Roger's overalls.
At school, Weir and Bella struggle with their movie-making
assignment on friendship. Miss Franklin their teacher wants everyone
to make a short movie, but both children can't decide on what to
film. Mum's brought home a baby kangaroo for the family to care for
and Weir and Sally begin to document Joey's recovery. They capture
Joey eating the Fido's food and sleeping in his bed while Grandpa
makes a special apron with a pouch for the baby roo to snuggle in.
Dad provides plenty of silly jokes while Mum teaches Joey how to
survive in the bush.
They even venture into the bush, using the triangle tag tracker to
find Joey's mother and return her youngster back to her. Weir and
Bella film the search, with a few false starts, finally locating the
kangaroo. Back at school they realise the true meaning of
friendship, when they share Joey's journey with the class.
Hopping weird is illustrated with Jules Faber's funny
cartoons of the joey's antics and the family's responses. Hot pink
is the colour focus from the fun lenticular cover to the accents and
creative font sizes and styles. Ahn Do's amusing and entertaining
story includes plenty of laugh-out-loud moments as well as exploring
the theme of friendship. The Weirdo series are just right
for beginning chapter books and for reluctant readers. This is
another winner for Ahn Do; fans of the Weirdo series will
find Hopping weird entertaining.
Rhyllis Bignell