Evangeline Mudd and the Great Mink Escapade

David Elliott's spirited heroine returns to join the fight for animal rights in this funny, fast-paced novel, whimsically illustrated by Andréa Wesson.

It seems like only yesterday that Evangeline Mudd was in the Ikkinasti Jungle, rubbing noses with a headhunter. Now, somehow, swinging from the branches of the old maples near her cozy New England bungalow isn't nearly exciting enough. But when a mysterious letter marked URGENT!!! arrives, Evangeline is reminded of a promise she needs to keep.

Going undercover as a newspaper reporter and with the help of Alexy Alexy, the world's highest-jumping dancer, Evangeline must make good on her vow to set free the animals at Mudd's Marvelous Minks. But can they avoid Alexy Alexy's dastardly guardian, Ratsputin? What if Melvin Mudd, her father's second cousin twice removed, recognizes her? And will Melvin's wife, the ditsy India Terpsichore, really go through with that crazy comeback ballet she's staging?

Mandy Wollenzien - Children's Literature

Evangeline Mudd is a fun, adventurous girl to read about. Evangeline has promised to help save thousands of minks from her uncle's top secret mink farm. Her very old aunt is hosting the production of a ballet to announce her ballet comeback. The aunt insists that every costume in the production be made entirely out of mink. Evangeline infiltrates her aunt and uncle's house as a newspaper reporter to determine the location of the mink farm. While staying at the house she meets the boy Alexy Alexy, who is the highest jumping dancer in the world. Evangeline befriends this sad boy and helps him escape from his evil guardian. Alexy and Evangeline work together to free the minks by jumping walls, swinging in trees, and riding unicycles. This book was fun to read because Evangeline has such creative and sometime silly ideas. She also interacts with some very peculiar characters. My favorite part is when Evangeline turns the evil guardian pink and convinces everyone that it is a very contagious disease. I would recommend this book to young readers who like adventure and humor. 2006, Candlewick, Ages 7 to 10.

DAVID ELLIOTT is the author of EVANGELINE MUDD AND THE GOLDEN-HAIRED APES OF THE IKKINASTI JUNGLE, THE TRANSMOGRIFICATION OF ROSCOE WIZZLE, and the NEW YORK TIMES best-selling picture book AND HERE'S TO YOU!, illustrated by Randy Cecil. Of EVANGELINE MUDD AND THE GREAT MINK ESCAPADE, he says, "All of us should have a person like Evangeline in our lives. For me, it's my sister, Glory. Even today, I wouldn't be a bit surprised to see her rolling up my driveway on a unicycle." David Elliott teaches at Colby-Sawyer College and in the MFA Program in Writing for Children at Lesley University.

ANDRÉA WESSON has illustrated several books for children, including EVANGELINE MUDD AND THE GOLDEN-HAIRED APES OF THE IKKINASTI JUNGLE, OPERA CAT, JACK QUACK, and NOT JUST ANOTHER MOOSE. Andréa Wesson lives with her husband, son, and two cats.