Aunt Puff and Missing Minerva

Rating:
Summary: Fun, fun, fun
Review: Aunt Puff and Missing Minerva captures the outlandishness of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the whimsy of Shel Silverstein, and the fun language use of Dr. Seuss in a miracle of a package that will keep you at the edge of your seat (unless the silly hands push you back in). This is a great read. It has whimsy and fun that will appeal to younger children and themes that will appeal to adults and older children.

Aunt Puff's friend Minerva has disappeared while trying to teach Alexandra, a twelve year old girl and the ture hero of the story, how to blow bubbles to play bubble gum charades (just one of the many wacky, highly imaginative creations of the author). Aunt Puff, Ludwig (a perfect characterization of a Great Dane), Alexandra, and Ciber (who is Minerva's cockatoo and is completely "Marbles!) face a whole bunch of out of this world obstacles to find Minerva and save the Elcarim Foundation in the process.

Be sure to buy this book. You won't be dissapointed.

Rating:
Summary: Amusing fantasy
Review: Books like "Aunt Puff and Missing Minerva" give readers the confidence that they can do anything they set their minds to, regardless of self, circumstance, or the fundamental laws of nature. The fabric of such a story rests upon the notion that it is negative "can't" thinking only which limits the world, and Whitewolf does his best to invent as many ways as possible within one hundred odd pages to absurdly illustrate his point. To a degree his purpose, like so many other children's writers, rings true, but in the many places it doesn't "Aunt Puff and Missing Minerva" remains an impish romp of ridiculousness more interested in fantastic sights and sounds then positive-thought philosophy.

"Daddle dooks," Whitewolf begins - a brave way to begin a novel of any genre, not to mention a career in writing. By these first words, "Aunt Puff and Missing Minerva" introduces Puff, the large, purple- and green-haired aunt of our narrator and most illustrated character. Then there is Minerva, the squat little pig-cowgirl; two amazingly intelligent animals, Ludwig the great dane and Ciber the cockatoo; and Alexandra, our nondescript heroine. Though in appearances such characters may be universally silly and eclectic, they share a common cluster of desires and senses of humor - a fact which resounds Whitewolf's thesis of a world divided only by the levels of love and fear within people. Settings in the novel are equally scrambled, from gardens and greenhouses to castles and lemonade factories, and it is immediately apparent that while distance becomes a psychological struggle, there is no external order between geographical locations. Finally, Whitewolf makes use of numerous and reflexively identified props as both tools and amusement, many of which involve stickiness and sweet-flavored things - perhaps explaining the heavyset nature of several characters.

Altogether, "Aunt Puff and Missing Minerva" is a light escape from the world; and, while its message may be questionable, few readers will mistakenly take it as anything but fantasy. Read this for fun, but don't idealize it.

Rating:
Summary: My daughter loved this book
Review: I bought this book for my 9 year old daughter. I don't know who liked it more, her or me. This is such a funny, imaginative book. I can't tell you how many times this book made my daughter and me smile.

What an adventure! This book has everything you could imagine and more from Boundary Boogers to thinking caps that are shower caps. What a hoot!

This is a great book for kids. It will entertain them and teach them too.

My daugther and I loved this book and your child and you will also.

Rating:
Summary: Delightful
Review: I have to agree with the other reviews on here that this book reminded me of a combination of the best parts of the Wizard of Oz, Harry Potter, and any number of Roald Dahl books. Aunt Puff and Missing Minerva contains tons of craziness and wacky twists on normal objects. There is even a bowling ball that is a little world.

Unlike Harry Potter, Willy Wonka, and the Wizard of Oz, the theme to Aunt Puff is more apparent. Alexandra needs to learn to have faith in herself, that she is a good person, that while there are times in our life when we let fear lead us, we have a choice to stop fear from leading us and let love, faith, and hope guide us instead. As, Cylenia in the book says, every moment is a miracle, because every moment we are able to choose who we are. Very Buddhist thought. But, the ideas of miracles and faith are also very Christian. So, unlike Harry Potter, I think Christians will enjoy this book and its themes of miracles, hope and faith. Although, this is not necessarily a Christian book. Anyone of any faith, will enjoy the themes of this book.

This book is also great entertainment. It is hilarious at times. Kids should enjoy it immensely. This would make a great bed time read aloud book.

I hope there will be more of Aunt Puff and Alexandra in the future.

Rating:
Summary: Imaginative, fun book
Review: Luring Lemonade. Boundery Boogers. Bubble gum charades. And a patchwork purse with glowing purple neon hearts. These are just some of the highly original and imaginative elments of this fantastic fantasy.

This book is as imaginative as a Willy Wonka or James and the Giant Peach.

The plot is tight, with the heroes facing many dangers, building on top of each other to a final climax, in which Alexandra, must find her courage to save the day.

There are wonderful themes about miracles, faith, hope, and love that permeate the book, especailly the second half of the book.

There is also beautiful poetry, some original, some Yeats. The poetry might be a little too advanced for some young readers, but it is fitting and older readers will appreciate it.

The ending is ripe for a sequel. We get a glimpse of Elcarim. And we never see the real antagonist, Malrot. I trust we will see more of Malrot and Elcarim in the future. I look forward to more.


Rating:
Summary: Funny fantasy for the young at heart
Review: This book will make you laugh and smile, both kid and adult alike. Wow, what crazy happenings in this book, like Alice and Wonderland meets Harry Potter. I hope there is a sequel.

Rating:
Summary: Fun filled rollicking adventure
Review: This is a book where you never know what will happen next, but you can best be sure that it will be funny and wondrous. From muumuu wearing Sirens to salt-water taffy to reach things in hard to reach places, you never know what crazy thing you will meet next. This is like a combination of the Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, and Harry Potter.

The story centers around Alexandra, who is staying with her rather wacky Aunt Puff for the summer. Aunt Puff's friend from the mysterious Elcarim foundation (responsible for aiding in miracles) comes to visit, but disappears while trying to teach Alexandra how to blow a bubble gum volcano. The Sherlock Holmes hats come on then as Alexandra, Aunt Puff, Puff's Great Dane Ludwig, and Minerva's cockatoo Ciber gather clues to take to Elcarim Headquarters. Alexandra ends up having to save both Minerva and Aunt Puff, but needs to find the courage and faith within herself before she can do so.

This is a book that both children and adults will love. Be sure to buy this book for your children for Christmas. It's great.

Rating:
Summary: Better for Kids than Adults
Review: This is a fast-paced and whimsical story that will appeal to the younger fantasy fan. It's full of interesting characters, creatures and places. It gets my nod for inventiveness, although I did feel some of the characters were too similar and hard to tell apart. (Not the main characters, though!)

As an adult reader, I found a few rough spots in the writing. Especially, I would have liked more background detail on the Elcarim Foundation, who "founded" it, and how it relates to the mundane world. For instance, Alexandra seems to take the existence of magic totally for granted, and I found myself wondering if all "mundane people" feel this way, or if the magicians have to hide from the outside world.

I thought the ending was weak, the villain converted too easily. However, my kids did like the ending and thought it was just fine.

Deby Fredericks
author of "The Magister's Mask"

Rating:
Summary: The GREAT FUNNY MS. PUFF
Review: This is a great and very imagative book!! It rocked my socks off!! I can't wait for the spy gear to come out. I want those spy gears for me. I am waiting for book #2 to come out. You should buy this book for the whole family. Watch out J.K. Rowling.

Mary

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic fantasy
Review: This is a great book and I am certain, in time, it will become a classic. It is like a combination of the best parts of Harry Potter, The Wizard of Oz, and Alice and Wonderland with a little mystery thrown in.

The plot is fast paced, always leaving you guessing and wanting to read the next chapter.

The characters, though outrageous and colorful, are believable. And the main character, Alexandra, is a girl that it is easy to identify with. She is a strong character, going from self doubt to learning to believe in herself.

There is a ton of humor in the book, usually centered around Aunt Puff and her crazy gadgets, that will make both young and old smile.

The themes about miracles are true to heart and meaningful.

I highly recommend this book.