The Chuckle Wobbles
The Chuckle Wobbles is a cute fantasy story for young readers that follows a happy pair on an enlightening adventure.
In Prue McDonell’s delightful fantasy novel The Chuckle Wobbles, two jolly creatures spread happiness across the universe.
The Chuckle Wobbles are a jovial species from the planet Mirth; they found the key to happiness and aim to share their findings with the rest of the universe. They are capable of climbing into the pages of a book, Portals to Other Planets, to travel to unhappy worlds with the goal of improving their moods.
On a new mission, two Chuckle Wobbles, Giggle and Cackle, travel to the planet Mopus to help the Doldrums achieve happiness, but what they find is a species that enjoys being miserable and is resistant to change. The planet’s unfortunate history with Chuckle Wobbles prompts Giggle and Cackle to keep their identities secret. As they learn more about Mopus with their new Doldrum friend Blubber, they discover that even the most cheerless creatures possess happiness deep down in their hearts. At the same time, the Doldrums learn that happiness may not be as dangerous an emotion as they thought.
The book’s vibrant full-page illustrations are saturated with stunning colors. They feature intricate details that bolster the world building. Alien trees curl in creepy patterns, green cratered moons are otherworldly and eccentric, and the Chuckle Wobbles’ glowing auras emphasize their joyful nature. The juxtaposition of their bright, cheery faces with Mopus’s eerie aridity results in entertainment and insight into the particulars of both cultures.
The prose is eloquent, with luscious details and imagery. The narrative bounces from one scene to the next in an immersive manner. The threat of Giggle’s and Cackle’s identities being exposed causes tension, which increases as they face new, unusual obstacles. They eat a Cranky Chocolate Cake that makes them experience unhappiness for the first time, Cackle and Blubber chase and rescue a floating Giggle when her joy sends her up into the sky, and they unearth Mopus’s secrets by solving riddles of mysterious origin. This constant movement is charming.
Despite the single-minded nature of their species, Giggle and Cackle are endearing and individualized, as are the Doldrums they encounter. Cackle is food obsessed and goofy, while Giggle is curious and clever. Their miscommunications and misunderstandings induce humor as they maneuver through their adventure. Their Doldrum sidekick Blubber is an inquisitive lad whose happy and curious attitude helps him transform his Doldrum comrades. Quirky secondary characters, like a misanthropic journalist, Snoop, fill out the world.
With extraordinary illustrations and a sweet message, The Chuckle Wobbles is a cute fantasy story for young readers that follows a happy pair on an enlightening adventure.
Reviewed by
Aimee Jodoin
Disclosure: This article is not an endorsement, but a review. The publisher of this book provided free copies of the book and paid a small fee to have their book reviewed by a professional reviewer. Foreword Reviews and Clarion Reviews make no guarantee that the publisher will receive a positive review. Foreword Magazine, Inc. is disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
