Tania Ingram (text) and A. YI, (illustrator) Aggie Flea is NOT a liar! Scholastic Books Australia, September 2023, 192 pp., RRP $16.99 ISBN 9781760972547
It’s no surprise that this funny junior fiction recently earnt a Notable in the CBCA 2024 Younger Readers Book of the Year category. Aggie Flea is a lovable rascal who is forever getting in trouble with her over-active imagination.
This new series is pitched at children seven-plus and may particularly appeal to children with separated parents. Aggie and her brother live with their mum, while their dad has recently moved to London.
When a new neighbour moves in, Aggie decides – without meeting him – that he’s a Scottish vampire. Why else would someone move in in the middle of the night and play bagpipe music? Hijinks ensue as Aggie, with assistance from her best friend Kumi, spy on the man they dub ‘Hamish McDougall vampire’. The fun continues at school as Aggie, daydreaming about speaking to the new neighbour, tells her long-suffering teacher ‘dinna git yer knickers innae twist, lassie!’
The book combines black and white cartoon-style illustrations interspersed with graphic novel elements. Aggie is an ardent fan of the fictional Princess Zombie books and it’s her graphic novel that’s captured in wonderful comic-gore by illustrator, A. Yi.
With its theme of not judging a book by its cover, this could make a fun classroom read aloud. Although, fair warning to teachers, the first chapter is quite long for this age group.
A fun romp of a book. Highly recommended.
Reviewed by Heather Gallagher
