Squish is a fairy.  He flies into the window of Nicholas’ house and knocks himself out, just as Nicholas is trying to think of something to give his little sister for her birthday.  Problem solved, the perfect present for a little girl’s fairy party!

Until Squish wakes up. 

He is not happy about it, and the mayhem that follows is hilariously told by Natalie Jane Prior in this latest in Hodder’s Hotshot series for middle-late primary readers.

Nicholas and his cousin Liam learn that you don’t feed a groggy fairy pizza and lemonade.  They prefer toothpaste.  You also don’t let them get loose around the house. Things get broken … lots of things … lots of Mum’s favourite china things.

Squish is a very cleverly told story, well supported by Janine Dawson’s line drawings.  It could easily have become just slapstick chaos, but Prior keeps the story controlled and logical.  Well, as logical as a vomiting fairy on your curtains can be.  We follow it all through Nicholas’ point of view as his plans and frustrations are taken over by the antics of Squish.

Squish is an excellent choice for newly independent readers developing their confidence.  Parents should read it as well, just to appreciate the excuses their children might have for the state of the house!

Other books by this author:
The Encyclopaedia of Preserved People (Hodder, 2002)

Review by David Beagley

© 2002 David Beagley