I think it's safe to say that we do favour books to slide into our book of the week slot if they are capable of making BOTH of us snort with laughter. Charlotte with that unbounded snorting that children are capable of, me with that slightly more reserved adult snorting when you read something that makes you wryly grin in recognition.
Anouk Ricard's sublime characters in "Anna and Froga" immediately mark "Out and About" as another essential comic to ease your kids into if they're looking for something fun (and non-threatening) comic-wise, that pours on the laughs left right and centre.
As we catch up with Anna, Froga, Christopher, Bubu (our favourite!), Ron and the others, they're planning their Christmas shopping outing. Bubu announces that this year he's going to make all his presents at home rather than going to the mall - so the others follow suit, putting a huge amount of time and effort into their presents.
Bubu, however, had an ulterior motive for his rather brash statement - so when he turns up with a rather porky tummy and cheeks, the gang suspect that his 'home made' presents took next to no effort at all (but the preparation was a lot of tasty fun for sure!)
The rest of the adventures in this compilation are similarly hilarious as the friends fall foul of a hazardous balloon ride (There's a bit in this where the balloon pilot introduces himself that actually made me guffaw so loudly that my wife came downstairs to see what on earth the matter was!).
I'd not encountered Anna and Froga before but I'm duty bound to track down the rest of Drawn and Quarterly's awesome collected versions. These are cartoons that entertain children and adults equally, and this beautiful hardbacked collection should not be missed. Utterly hilarious, brilliant and inventive.
Charlotte's favourite bit: Bubu's cheap-ass christmas present ideas which are, predictably, a pile of rubbish (almost literally)
Daddy's favourite bit: The balloon pilot's introduction, a real tea-spitting moment of beautifully timed hilarity. Brilliant brilliant stuff Anouk!
(Kindly sent to us for review by Drawn and Quarterly)
"Anna and Froga - Out and About"
Written and Illustrated by Anouk Ricard
Published by Drawn and Quarterly
Publication Date: 21st June 2016