Billy and the Epic Escape

September 1, 2024
The Naked Chef dishes up further delectable exploits for his crew of preteen eco-warriors. Summoned back to the magical realm of Waterfall Woods by desperate pleas for help, Billy and his cohorts, Anna, Jimmy, and Andy--joined by reformed bully Bruno--find themselves up against a woman they dub "Scary Red" who's stealing children by the hundreds from around the world. Why? To grow food crops for Terra Nova, a colony of scientists who produce a nutritional potion called Youth-In-A-Bottle. The celebrity chef author has his young characters take frequent breaks to make or chow down on lovingly described treats, from the first chapter's lavish birthday party to a caramelized banana sticky toffee pudding he leaves them tucking into at the end. Before that, the book has enough rescues and casualty-free battles to nudge the storyline along, as well as some working out of personal frictions between reckless Anna and careful, cautious Jimmy. Fortunately, the young heroes' foe depends on an elixir of youth that ultimately proves her downfall. Unfortunately, as the Myas (or personified mycelia of the fungal kingdom) warn, thanks to unsustainable practices in both worlds, the Rhythm of nature remains in deadly danger. Armi�o's lavishly detailed illustrations appear throughout, punctuating the dyslexia-friendly text. Main characters present white, apart from British Jamaican Jimmy. Combine food-forward world-saving, personal issues, and a large cast both magical and mundane, then stir briskly. (recipes)(Fantasy. 8-12)

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