The Poppa Platoon in Operation Dessert Storm by Danny Katz and Mitch Vane

Omnibus, 2018. ISBN 9781742769240
(Age: 7+) Recommended. Themes: Humour. Illustrated novel. Food. Major Poppa, Abbie, and her little brother Flynn are on a mission to eat as much as they can at the Wibbly the Cheeky Wizard's Spooky All-You-Can-Eat Family Buffet Restaurant, but still keep some room for dessert. Of course when they arrive, things go awry even though they had undergone training before their mission.
Any adult who has ever faced a huge buffet will immediately relate to the problems that the Poppa Platoon face and will really enjoy reading this with younger children. Kids who enjoy reading by themselves have a hilarious, quick read to amuse themselves with and those who are looking for something to read after the Treehouse series by Andy Griffith and Terry Denton, The Bad guys by Aaron Blabey and the WeirDo series by Anh Do will eagerly pick up this series, which started with The Poppa platoon in World War Chew.
It is extensively illustrated with very funny cartoon-like pictures, all in black and white, which bring the characters, the people at the buffet and the food vividly to life. I especially loved the very cheeky look on baby Flynn's face and Abbie's actions were a scream. Major Poppa of course looks like everyone's stereotype of an army boss. The type is in different sizes and shapes and emphasises the importance of what is going on, or the noise level of the voices.
This laugh-out-loud book is sure to be a hit with kids who love a laugh and will encourage those who don't like reading much to pursue the story.
Pat Pledger