Wanda and the Oblahlahs

PreS—Wanda chews gum all day long, even in school. Her mother isn't too concerned, though, since it is sugarless. Her parents have just one rule—Wanda has to throw it out every night before she goes to bed, or else she will get the Oblahlahs. Then one night, she keeps it. The next morning, she awakens to find that a group of mischievous stick figures has moved into her mouth, where they play and dance. Wanda mopes around for three days until the Oblahlahs get bored and leave. Now she still chews gum all day but doesn't argue with her parents when they ask her to get rid of it at night. This didactic story is illustrated with watercolor and line retro-looking pictures that don't seem finished. The lack of character development, amateurish artwork, and uninspired plot make this an unnecessary purchase.—Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT