Danny Best:Full On

Danny Best:Full On written by Jen Storer, illustrated by Mitch Vane (Harper Collins) PBK RRP $16.99 ISBN 9780733333330

Reviewed by Sharon McGuinness

If you are a fan of WeirDo, Wimpy Kid, Big Nate or even Captain Underpants, you will enjoy Jen Storer’s latest series featuring nine year old Danny Best.

Brilliantly illustrated by Mitch Vane, this compilation of five stories is packed with appeal to young boys. Danny and his pals Fab (Fabrizio), Sticks, Clancy, Mae, Dylan and Pugsley the dog don’t solve mysteries or rescue small children. Storer’s characters play games of cops and robbers, and make obstacles courses and racetracks for bike riding. These stories delight in the daily play and activities of kids – or perhaps the play that kids should enjoy.

At the end of each story is a fun quiz – possibly a kid’s version of a comprehension? The book is also filled with other interesting bits about Danny and the other characters – for example, a record of all the (mostly) disgusting things that Pugsley has done, a list of what Danny collects and even a story by Danny himself.

Younger children aged 7 and over will delight in the antics of Danny and his friends, but it is also a book which could easily be shared in the classroom, prompting some similar story writing and illustrating.

Bound to be a hit.