The day the mustache took over by Alan Katz

Ill. by Kris Easler. Bloomsbury, 2015. ISBN 9781681191485
(Age: 8+) Recommended. Humour. Childminding. Nathan and David are twins. Terrible twins! So terrible that they have made life impossible for hundreds of Nannies over the years. Their constant bickering and competitiveness, plus their messy behaviour and lack of attention to school work and other common courtesies, mean they are very difficult to deal with until their parents find Martin Healey Discount - a moustachioed Male Nanny (Manny), of dubious background and the last on the list of possible replacements. Within a very short space of time the boys are transformed, but bizarrely the boys become responsible despite the irresponsible behaviour of the Nanny.
This is a warped 'Mary Poppins' story, with warped characters, and lots of doubtful humour that might entertain a young reader. It is not great literature, but it is just a simply silly tale, with ridiculous mo-ments (Mustache joke!!) No great cerebral work is required to understand the nonsense, but the comical moments are just ridiculous rather than cleverly amusing. Consequently it will still appeal to young readers who like an occasional chuckle as they read.
Carolyn Hull