World's Greatest Liar: 2016

World's Greatest Liar: 2016

By Author / Illustrator

Barry Hutchison, Katie Abey

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

7+

Publisher

Little Tiger Press Group

ISBN

9781847156730

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

01-06-2016

Synopsis

Dylan Malone, aka Beaky, has a habit for telling porkies - every time he opens his mouth, out pops a whopper... But then his long-suffering sister shoves him into the truth-telling machine at Madame Shirley's Marvellous Emporium of Peculiarities. Now Beaky can't tell a lie - not even a teeny-weeny one - and a truth-telling Beaky is even worse...

Reviews

Emily

Dylan Malone aka Beaky, could possibly be the world's greatest liar. Whether he's leading expeditions to the north pole, boasting of his psychic abilities, boxing swans in the park or dodging deadly deceases - Beaky will have a creative answer for everything. However, when extended family members come to stay for the weekend Beaky's antics go too far. During a failed family outing, Beaky and his sister Jodie find themselves at Madame Shirley's Marvellous Emporium of Peculiarities. Amongst the oddities of the emporium is a 'Truth Telling Machine' and at her wits end, Jodie persuades him to give it a try. Much to everyone's astonishment, Beaky emerges from the machine unable to tell a lie. When even the threat of sharing an awful picture of Beaky via social media isn't enough to force a lie out of him, Jodie is convinced too. Creative chaos ensues, as Beaky's truth telling causes big problems. He just can't help himself! If only he could just keep his mouth shut; it looks like the family secrets won't stay secrets for much longer. Recommended for anyone who isn't offended by toilet humour and the banter of modern day families, this book is a real giggle. It would be fun to explore some of the lies told by Beaky and whether readers can be even more creative? For example, what would Beaky say about not handing in his homework on time? It would also be interesting to investigate other literary fibbers, most notably the wonderful Pinocchio - readers might notice that both Beaky and Pinocchio have rather large noses in common! Beaky's lies, whilst very creative, aren't very convincing - not to his family and friends anyway! It would be a challenge to create more convincing tall stories and to share them along side true stories them with the intention of calling out the bluff! 192 pages / Ages 7/8+ / Reviewed by Emily Beale, school librarian.

Suggested Reading Age 7+

 

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