Cooking can (help) cure your woes

Billy Bramble and the Great Big Cook-Off

By Sally Donovan

Age Range: 8 - 12 years

Grade Level: 3 - 7

Paperback: 192 pages

Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers (March 21, 2016)

ISBN-10: 1849056633

ISBN-13: 978-1849056632

 

Publisher’s Blurb

"Want to know something else about me? I am Billy Bramble: the King, the President and the Emperor of Bad Lucksville. I am the Chief Executive of Bad Luck Limited, the Bad Luck Champion of the World, the Bad Luck Guinness World Record holder and it's all thanks to my invisible dog Gobber. He's my Bringer of Bad Luck."

Billy Bramble likes rude words, smelly farts, loud farts and freestyle sneezing but when BAD THINGS happen, his invisible angry dog Gobber barks in his ears, gives him brain mash and breaks things. One day a competition is announced at school - The Great Big Cook Off - can Billy Bramble defeat Gobber and change his epic bad luck?


An irreverent story for children aged 8-12 about a less than perfect boy, this book will inspire any child who's ever secretly thought they might be less than perfect too.


My Thoughts:

As a parent of a child who has been receiving treatment for anxiety, Billy quickly resonated with me. So much of his behavior and thoughts sounded so very familiar to me! Billy gives his anxiety a name in the form of Gobber, and Gobber often keeps Billy from doing what he wants to do.

 

However, with patient parents and a sympathetic teacher, Billy finds something to focus on that keeps his mind off Gobber: cooking (a passion my child shares). Even with this newfound skill, things are not magically better for Billy, and he often wants to give up.

 

Americans might have some issues with this book, as British colloquialisms are used, though you should be able to figure it out with little trouble.

 

I liked that Billy’s problems didn’t magically evaporate—overcoming anxiety is a process full of setbacks, and it takes time. I also appreciate that his parents weren’t endlessly patient, since dealing with an anxious child can be frustrating.

 

Possible Objectionable Material:

Bullying, naughty behavior—both deliberate and as a result of anxiety.

 

Who Might Like This Book:

Kids (or adults) who like cooking or who have experienced anxiety or other issues that make it hard to be a part of the world sometimes. And anyone who likes stories about a boy who overcomes (mostly) his troubles.

 

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!