Book Review of Aunt Betty’s Surprise
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The Children’s Book Review
Aunt Betty’s Surprise
Written and illustrated by Sally Sockwell
Ages: 6+ | 275 Pages
Publisher: Luminare Press (2024) | ISBN-13: 979-8-88679-248-5
What to Expect: Surprises, travel, family, immigration, pets, and dreams.
Building on the award-winning Aunt Betty Horns In, this new chapter book by Sally Sockwell delivers another dose of quirky fun and deadpan humor that will keep you laughing from start to finish.
Life with Aunt Betty and Aunt Jane is never dull. When Emily joins them on a trip to Mexico, she finds herself caught up in an adventure that involves rats pretending to be dogs, animal smuggling, immigration law, and visits to the Amish. Mojito and Margarita seem to be friendly dogs, but after smuggling themselves illegally into the US in the aunts’ luggage, a veterinary inspection reveals them to be rats. Not just any rats, though – these rats have a talent for charm and business and are determined to be model citizens.
As they work hard to support their new rat friends in achieving their dreams, Aunt Betty and Aunt Jane will be arrested, help secret service dogs go into hiding, spend a lot of money, and make Emily’s parents really, REALLY mad. But things always work out well in the end. Or do they? The plot takes unexpected turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Written from the first-person perspective of Emily, the aunt’s inquisitive and intelligent niece, the story is delivered in a short, matter-of-fact tone that is sure to resonate with young readers. As they laugh their way through the implausible plot, they’ll also pick up some interesting lessons, ranging from Spanish vocabulary to immigration law and Amish culture. The cartoonish black-and-white artwork is whimsical, energetic, and full of fun details for readers to pick out. Beyond the humor and whimsy are some thought-provoking messages—about dreams, being of service to others, acceptance, and curiosity.
Aunt Betty’s Surprise is a surprising, entertaining, and truly funny chapter book, perfect for readers who love not knowing what the next page will bring.
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About the Author
Sally Sockwell is a writer and actress who lives in New York City with a lot of pets. Her book Aunt Betty Horns In won the New England’s Children’s Book Review award for best chapter book of 2016.
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