Synopsis
Charlie Moon is the sort of boy who means well, but can't resist the odd little prank or two which always seems to land him in a fix! His troubles begin when his mother, fed up with him skate-boarding through her hairdressing shop, packs him off to stay with his Aunty Jean and his infuriating cousin Ariadne at their joke shop in the Welsh seaside town of Penwyn.
The very first time Auntie Jean asks Charlie and Ariadne to look after the shop, Charlie gets into a mess through an encounter with the awful Morgan brothers and a little matter of some stolen stink bombs.
Gordon Fairclough's theatrical career has included spells with the Old Vic and Pitlochry Festival Theatre, in everything from Shakespeare to Whitehall farces. On television, he has appeared in Z Cars and Coronation Street.
School Library Journal
Gr 3-5 Charlie and his cousin Ariadne are spending the summer with their Aunt Jean, the owner of a seaside novelty shop. The cousins expect to have a dull summer, but that is before they meet Mr. Cornetto, the owner of the amusement/wax museum arcade; Mrs. Cadwallader, a wealthy widow; and her spinster sister-in-law. The residents and visitors in this small English town get a new lease on life in this light summer story that is filled with the same sort of humor found in Hughes' books for younger children about Alfie. Hughes has illustrated the book with a top border of characters parading across the pages, giving glimpses of people and the action. Although some children might have trouble with the present tense narration, this is an enjoyable story for middle graders. Ginny McKee, Providence Pub. Library, R.I.