Knitbone Pepper: The Last Circus Tiger

Knitbone Pepper: The Last Circus Tiger

By Author / Illustrator

Claire Barker, Ross Collins

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

7+

Publisher

Usborne Publishing Ltd

ISBN

9781409580386

Format

Hardback

Published

01-03-2016

Reviews

Kerra

The inhabitants of Starcross Hall are all really quite unusual. It's a place where normal house rules simply don't apply. It's where generations of beloved Pepper ghost pets, a goose, monkey, hamster, amongst others, play hide and seek. Winnie, the youngest Pepper is the only living person who can see them and is an honorary member of the Spirits of Starcross, as the owner of Knitbone and his beloved. Knitbone Pepper is a dead special ghost dog, he's the ghost pet that all the others look up to. When Lord Starcross has a dream, he decides 'hats are where it's at' so the family hat collection should be expanded and opened to the public, nothing can stop him. At the last minute, the Beloved Pet ghosts have to step in and create order out of the Pepper chaos, setting up all the displays so that the collection can open. Winnie and the Spirits of Starcross are essential in making a success out of the exhibition, getting free advertising and making their ghostly presence felt to amuse the public. Just when you think all is well, the circus arrives and Knitbone senses something strange. Roojoo is the last circus tiger and he is lonely. The story races on with the National Hat Museum of India arranging a loan of the Eye of Mumbai, a jewel thief and the spirits trying to find the last page of the Good Ghost Guide in order to reunite with his Beloved before time runs out. Claire Barker's characters are warm and full of life, she has included lots of fun and frolicks throughout the story to keep the momentum going. I loved the interaction between the spirits and the Security Guards, but the description of Magpie McCracken's attempt to retrieve the Eye of Mumbai was hilarious. Ross Collins' beautiful drawn little vignettes add humour and even more personality to the characters, bringing the story and the individuals to life. 256 pages / Ages 7+ / Reviewed by Kerra Dagley, school librarian.

Suggested Reading Age 7+

 

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