The Bad Guys: Episode 1; Aaron Blabey

Despite lengthy rap sheets, Mr. Wolf is convinced that he and his wise-guy associates - Mr. Snake, Mr Piranha and Mr. Shark are just misunderstood. And the time has come to prove it to everyone, instead of being bad guys these guys are turning over a heroic new leaf. Rather than creating trouble, they are going to be on the lookout for it. But are they up to carrying out good deeds and making the world a better place…

A reformed wolf, a snake who isn’t keen on hugs, a piranha mistaken for a sardine and a shark in a dress, what more could you want from a book? Aaron Blabey knows what makes kids laugh and The Bad Guys makes for an absolutely hilarious read that is packed full of sharp one-liners, witty comments and shady looking characters. His rag-tag quartet of unlikely animal heroes provide tons of belly-aching laughs that will encourage the most reluctant of readers to pick up a book.

Presented in comic book style with plenty of black and white illustrations, readers follow the new do-gooders as they head off to help the animals of the world. But it’s not easy trying to turn your lives around especially when you have a dangerous reputation. Despite Mr. Wolf’s best thought out plan to free two-hundred dogs from the impound, chaos ensues and Mr. Wolf has his hands full, not only to get the gang to carry out the mission but to stop them from eating each other, they are all very hungry!

A brilliant early chapter book. This is one gang that readers will definitely want to join!

Recommended for 6+.