Peanut Jones and the Twelve Portals
The second book in Biddulph's clever, creative and delightfully funny Peanut Jones series, The Twelve Portals continues Peanut's adventures in the magical world of Chroma alongside her genius little sister and science-minded best friend Rockwell. When colour begins vanishing from the city that inspires all the world's creativity, Peanut and her pals are determined to find out why ¬¬- and to ensure Chroma's increasing monochromaticity doesn't cross over into their world.
The use of real-world art references and magical devices alongside Rockwell's scientific scepticism will appeal to readers with a range of interests. The illustrations are engaging but unobtrusive, adding to without distracting from the story. Imagination and cleverness abound, but the fast pace of the narrative keeps the reader from getting too bogged down in the witty detail.
While this book will appeal mainly to a middle grade audience, younger readers might also enjoy reading it alongside an adult or older sibling who could explain some of the more sophisticated art references, and the cliff-hanger ending will leave all readers clamouring for the series finale.
