The Bolds

Gr 2–4—After a crocodile in Africa eats two English tourists, a pair of hyenas (Mr. and Mrs. Bold) travel back to Teddington, England, disguised as the tourists. The book follows the Bolds' adventures as they try to resist their animal nature so that they can blend into their new suburban neighborhood and live as humans. This fast-paced read follows the family, including their new twin baby hyenas, as they break a fellow hyena out of captivity in a safari park. The twist at the end may surprise readers, though there are clues hidden in the illustrations throughout the book. There are enough wacky situations and outright jokes (Mr. Bold finds a job writing jokes because hyenas are always laughing) to engage reluctant readers. There is some potty humor, but this is sure to add to the book's appeal. Roberts's illustrations support the off-kilter, humorous mood of the book and are integrated into the text in inventive ways. For example, the page where the crocodile eats the English tourists features an illustration of a wide-open crocodile mouth; the number of words on each line lessens as the text goes further into the crocodile's mouth. Underscoring the slapstick appeal is a message about understanding others' differences.