Genre: Fantasy because the children go to a completely make-believe world with fictional characters. Media: none ( )

Julie Andrews as she is known to most is a beloved children's author, the type who gets re-read, at least by my children. This book was read to them at camp, and they insisted on hearing it again from parents, and then in reading it themselves (or at least the boy did). Rarely are there actresses who are also wonderful singers who make such a perennial contribution to the literature of late childhood. It would be as though Lewis Carroll was earlier known for starring in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas and going toe to toe with Edwin Booth in drama as well. I know my timeline for this analogy might not be on point, but that's the gist of it. Julie Andrews is not the mere product of some publicity machine. She is a gifted artist who deserves her popularity. Her facility with writing reminds me of J. K. Rowling - the purists may disdain it at first, but eventually they come to see the power behind that rush of well-chosen words.

This is my favorite book from childhood. It is part Willy Wonka, a bit of Harry Potter (though it was written before Potter). It is one of Julie Andrews' (of singing/acting fame)first novels, along with Mandy. ( )

Professor Savant, world renowned geneticist, has moved into his temporary home near the Potter family. The children run into the Professor at the zoo and are invited to visit him. The Professor tells them of the creature called the Whangdoodle and how there is only one left in the world and he has gone back to Whangdoodleland, refusing to have anything to do with humans. The Professor has tried and has been to Whangdoodleland but he does not have enough imagination and here is where the children come in. With their combined imagination the four of them should have no trouble entering Whangdoodleland and finding the elusive Whangdoodle. Thus begins a strange journey in a strange land filled with strange creatures.

I have such fond memories of reading this as a child. It may have been one the first real fantasy books I read as the the feelings for it are so strong. I must say it didn't quite live up to my remembrances, yet it is still a good story. Reminiscent of an E. Nesbit tale with the dynamics between the siblings this is a very fantastical tale. The 8yo enjoyed it immensely. Edwards is a good writer with a vivid imagination, this book inhabits a Wizard of Oz type of world and I think the book is best enjoyed by those who can dispense with reality and believe the unbelievable. The story is quite far-fetched and over-the-top in believability, but Edwards also has an underlying agenda of asking the reader to accept and embrace the reality of cloning in the future. I found that viewpoint a bit disturbing but it went over the 8yo's head so we didn't discuss it. Overall, a fun fantasy and one that has stood the test of time to become a classic. ( )

Lindy, Ben and Tom meet a crazy professor who tells them about a creature called a Whangdoodle who lives in a place that can only be reached through imagination; the children and the professor set of on an adventure to find that last of the Whangdoodles. The characters are superbly developed and easy to picture as your friends, I would personally like to meet a Whiffle Bird. The plot is broken into three sections but each chapter has a mini cliff hanger to keep readers interested. The setting is meant to be imagined and the book has a lot of description to help readers create their own Whangdoodland. This would be an excellent book for a public library for upper elementary and early middle school readers. ( )