Pantemonium!

Youngsters may not be familiar with the word pandemonium but will soon catch on to the idea once introduced to Fred’s hilarious fishing trip. Unknowingly, Fred hooks his best, favourite pair of pants from the washing line as he sets off for the beach, line over his shoulder.  The cover picture gives the clues that the pants are indeed of the very stretchiest variety, as one after another, Fred unwittingly scoops up dogs and cats, the baker and his pastries, indeed taking in Constable Kelly with her criminal, appalled, in the back of her patrol car. In they all tumble as Fred wonders at the increasing weight of his fishing line. Turn each page and, “Oh, Pantemonium!” Passing the zoo, he catches a giraffe and an elephant too! The rhymes help the text bundle along, as he nears his destination, when, suddenly, the whole contents in his undies go free. There is a lovely twist to the tale at the end of the story, and readers will enjoy returning to the beginning, taking in all the illustrations, and laughing at the impossibility of all the happenings. The pictures add much to the tale; those with keenest eyes will spot on the first spread the block of shops where Fred later collects his cakes and a couple of page-turns on, there is the Constable catching the thief at the bank! Lots of fun in both text and pictures to enjoy in a read-aloud, and subsequent read-alones by a child.