Squirrel and Duck: Mission Improbable

By Author / Illustrator

Tom Percival

Genre

Funny Stories

Age range(s)

Publisher

Bloomsbury Children's Books

ISBN

9781526665638

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

30-01-2025

Synopsis

Laugh-out-loud illustrated fiction about unlikely friends Squirrel and Duck. Giggle as they outwit bungling burglars, with only the help of their pet cactus! Perfect for fans of the Dog Man and Grimwood series.

Squirrel and Duck might seem strange housemates but they are drawn together by their secret - they are the only two talking animals in the world! When bulldozers arrive to redevelop the abandoned theme park they call home, they run away, taking with them only Mr Spikes, Duck's beloved 'pet' cactus.

When they hear a conversation between two nincompoop art thieves they end up on the trail of untold riches (according to Squirrel) or a great deed to help the nation (as far as Duck's concerned)! Only some surprisingly unhelpful woodland creatures stand in their way! Readers will love this zanily brilliant story, full of unlikely scenarios and laugh-out-loud moments.

Full series: Squirrel and Duck: Mission Improbable (book 1); Squirrel and Duck: Invasion of the Body Snatchers (book 2); Squirrel and Duck: Quack to the Future (book 3)

From the bestselling author of the Big Bright Feelings picture book series. 'Hilarious... addictive' Guardian. 'Hilarious, off-the-wall and great fun' Sun. 'Had me laughing out loud from the very first page' Emily-Jane Clark, author of The Beasts of Knobbly Bottom.

Reviews

Sue

Although Squirrel and Duck have little in common - Duck being jolly and Squirrel somewhat cranky - they live together with Duck's pet cactus, Mr Spikes, in a fibreglass tree in an abandoned theme park. As talking animals, they need to keep a low profile, which is working well until they discover that the theme park is to be demolished to make way for luxury apartments. When they overhear a conversation between two strangers about where they have hidden the most expensive painting in the world, they decide to find the picture with Duck planning to return it to its owner and Squirrel thinking they could use it to buy a new home. What could possibly go wrong?

Wonderfully whimsical, Squirrel and Duck: Mission Improbable is bursting with humour. Pacey, energetic narrative is accompanied by lots of illustrations which help to build the different personalities of Squirrel and Duck as their adventure continues. The two friends are nothing alike and yet together they can 'do anything', making them the perfect team.

There are many giggle-worthy moments in the story, not least when Squirrel tries to speak to the grey squirrels in the woods, but is out of practice in 'speaking squirrel' and utters offensive nonsense instead. Good triumphing over evil, friendship saving the day, and a series of happy misadventures make for an enjoyable story with more adventures to follow.

240 pages / Ages 6+ / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher