Koalas in Capes: The Zombie Chickens

Koalas in Capes: The Zombie Chickens is a funny adventure story, perfect for readers aged 7+ who love laugh-out-loud, madcap stories. Set in the world of Pawtonia, this brings super-powered koalas Archie and Bob as they face their first challenge as superheroes - to stop the evil ostrich, Dr Colossus, from taking over Pawtonia!

Expect dancing zombie chickens, animals posing as supervillains, and chaos in every page. The fast-paced plot is packed with lively onomatopoeia - making the text visually engaging and great fun to read aloud. Short chapters keep the action moving, making it ideal for emerging independent readers or as an entertaining class read. Brilliant illustrations by David O'Connell bring the mayhem to life and the story leaves readers eager for more heroic escapades from Pawtonia’s favourite koalas. Look out for the sequel, Koalas in Capes: The Robot Spiders (Nosy Crow)

192 pages / Reviewed by Emma Nelson, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 7+

If you like your stories to be completely daft and to star a bizarre array of costumed creatures, then this short adventure will suit you down to the ground. Or should that be up to the skies, since that's where Bob and Archie, the cape-clad koalas, come into their own?

Superheroes they may be, by dint of some secret decree, but Archie, actually, has no great ambitions to save the world, or even Pawtonia; he'd rather lie low and pass his days quietly in the Hot chocolate Cafe. But, the evil plot of dastardly Mr Colossus must be foiled and, apparently, Archie's invisibility powers are will come in very handy.

Those who can't quite imagine zombie chickens, robber ducks and a crazed ostrich, whose aircraft has been hit by a boogie-blaster, will be glad of the lively illustrations, but are probably too old for this cracker. It is probably best enjoyed by those just starting their foray into chapter books and relishing the fun therein, and/or those who already have encountered Francesca Simon's Two Terrible Vikings or Caryl Hart's Invincibles, say, and are keen for more in the same vein.

Koalas in Capes: The Zombie Chickens will find its way onto many a bedroom bookcase and may prove a popular addition to the classroom book corners. If it does, there will surely be more exploits to follow from the pen of Terrie Chilvers.

192 pages / Reviewed by Jane Rew, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 5+