Wed Wabbit

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So funny, and so sharp and dark and unguessable. What a book. Katherine Rundell, author of ‘Rooftoppers’ and ‘The Wolf Wilder For me it’s a rollercoaster of emotions that I’m trying to manipulate the reader into’ - Alex Wheatle on fictional world building, creating new language and seeing yourself in a book Honestly, I’m nearly 1000 words into the review and we’ve just about sorted the meat of the plot. Wed Wabbit pretty much defies description in that regard, but in the best possible way. It is an intensely weird premise and there is no point in pretending it is not—but then, Evans knows, and is entirely uninterested in, its level of weirdness. The mechanism by which Fidge, Graham and the toys get into Minnie’s book—much less get out again—is never explained and hardly dwelt upon. Wed Wabbit isn’t about believable world-building; it’s about using the structure of a quest narrative (free Wimbley Land from tyranny!) to intelligently parallel an arc of internal emotional development. Both Fidge and Graham need to let go of something that is holding them captive: Fidge, her refusal to give or receive hugs (which here are metonyms for affection and the vulnerability that comes with being demonstrative), and Graham, his terror of everything and his belief in the superiority of intellect above pragmatism or kindness. Both of them, in other words, have their own Wed Wabbits lurking in their hearts. This classic story about a much-loved toy rabbit is now – wait for it – almost a hundred years old. The writing, much like the Velveteen Rabbit itself, is now a bit dusty and moth-eared and worse for wear – I get the impression the only people who buy it now are eager grandparents. But just as you’re wondering why people still go on and on about it, that crucial paragraph appears – “once you are real you can’t be ugly, except to people who don’t understand” – and you might as well be chopping onions.

I think we should give Lissa Evans a round of applause *claps with everyone else and bows for reading the book* For the most part this is fairly subtly done (at least, I imagine a ten-year-old wouldn’t necessarily twig). There is one moment, I think, where Evans slightly overplays it: I love this book not just for its fearless heroine but because it touches on that universal truth – that occasionally children yearn for a world that is bigger, and more exciting, than the tiny protected environment they’re boarded up in. Plus its really, really funny. Lissa Evans, author of the hilarious Wed Wabbit (shortlisted for the Costa and Blue Peter book awards), shares her top tips for funny writing – whatever your age.Illustration from Gorilla by Anthony Browne One Christmas Wish by Katherine Rundell, illustrated by Emily Sutton

Read our book review of Time Travelling with a Hamster 6. Cosmic, Frank Cottrell Boyce (Pan Macmillan)Lissa Evans is a marvel, a genuinely funny, clever writer who takes you to the last place you expect to go…Wed Wabbit is a classic in the making. An unmissable literary carrot. The Times As soon as I spotted this wonderful book in my local library, I felt a delighted spark of recognition – not only was this book something I’d have loved as a child, but as an aspiring author, this felt like someone firing an arrow of encouragement across all the other genres my book didn’t fit into. Could there be a household pet more mundane than a hamster? No. But there’s time travelling? Yes. In this story of hope and endurance, we follow a scientist and her team during their search for the elusive 'Giant Arctic Jellyfish'. Have a go at drawing the characters of Wed Wabbit or the various Wimbley Woos from their descriptions in the opening chapters.

Lissa Evans grew up in the West Midlands. She comes from a family of bookworms and spent most of her childhood trawling through her local library. Wed Wabbit is a story about the importance of family and friendship. Although Minnie only features in a small part of the book, it is her favourite book - The Land of the Wimbley Woos - and her favourite toys - Eleanor Elephant and Wed Wabbit - which are at the heart of the story. Her love for and understanding of her little sister makes Fidge able to achieve her quest and solve the problems facing the Wimbley Woos. In the process, she learns more about the importance of understanding others and playing to people's strengths. Can you think of a story world that would you like to be lost in? How about one that you would not like to visit? Frank Cottrell Boyce on why reading for pleasure is the most important thing you can pass on to a childAlso the voice in the book was geared more towards older children, I think... Fidge is almost 11 but feels more like at least 14, and the text was too specific, for example: "And then it nodded at her captor, and Fidge was given a shove between the shoulder blades that sent her stumbling into the twilight." (94)