13.5 Lives of Captain Bluebeard

Travel, sci-fi, fantasy, biography and humour dont often come so perfectly packaged. From the introduction of the eponymous ursine captain as a naked infant afloat in a walnut shell its a relentless ride to the cut-off point, halfway through an adventure-packed life that would dazzle the most intrepid explorer. Walter Moerss words and illustrations combine faultlessly to create an addictively daft world. Somewhere in the Atlantic, the crazed landmass of Zamonia and its inhabitants come alive as Bluebears quest takes him east, and each turn of the page reveals yet more surprises. Moerss imagination never lets up and its essential to abandon all preconceptions before escorting the bulky blue hero across deserts made of sugar, past demonic shapeshifting spiders and through the dimensional hiatus. With barely a pause, the story hops from frying pan to fire and back again, as the captain saves himself from countless sticky endings, using ingenuity, imagination and an occasional helping of good fortune. The perfect bedtime story for adults looking for something different, this refreshingly original adventure would appeal to many older children also. Just when it seems hes scaled the pinnacle of bizarre situations, Moers refers yet again to his omnipresent copy of Professor Nightingales Encyclopaediaof Zamonia, and introduces the concept of multi-dimensional space, which is a bit like being everywhere in space and time all at once. But its not quite that simple, and seven brains are needed to fully comprehend the concept. Surreal and psychedelic, unpredictable and immense fun, this is a fabulous world, well worth a visit. And if you follow the scent of a whiff of adventure through this wonderful chaos youll find yourself wondering when youll be fortunate enough to learn of Bluebears other 13? lives. (Kirkus UK)