"Odd Bods" by Steven Butler and Jarvis (gotta love any artist who shares his name with a pop icon and a smarmy AI) is actually a celebration of being different, unique, maybe a little bit crackers at times.
Just like all kids in fact, because as we read and giggled aloud, we realised that in Charlotte's class, there's the bogey kid, the quiet kid, the kid with weird hair, and the prima ballerina who is perfect in every way (and if that's not weird when you're 8, then I don't know what is!)
I loved the fact that this feels like a slightly less macabre and modernised version of "The Gashlycrumb Tinies" - that meisterwork from Edward Gorey. Each kid is celebrated and given their own chance to shine and I can safely predict that just about every child that reads this book will either pick a favourite or see themselves here somewhere. Brilliantly funny, beautifully illustrated and a real 'wow' book when you spot it on the bookstands.
Charlotte's favourite bit: The kid who smells like bins! Ewwww!
Daddy's favourite bit: I loved the mysterious guy who could move things with his mind. Wish I'd had that power at school!
(Kindly sent to us for review by Picture Puffin)
"Odd Bods"
Written by Steven Butler
Illustrated by Jarvis
Published by Picture Puffin
Publication Date: 2nd June 2016