Review: Eric and the Woolly Jumpers by Malcolm Hulme

Title: Eric and the Woolly Jumpers
Author: Malcolm Hulme
Release Date: September 28, 2010

Eric, the sheep human, escapes from the evil Walter Strumphh's sheep processing plant. Can he, with with the help of his motley crew, composed of a scientist, pilot, musician and athlete, all sheep human too, save their world from the clutches of the wicked dictator? In their quest they are ably supported by Cyril the butterfly and an alien. A funny adventure story for children from nine to twelve years old and for those of us who have clung onto our childlike imagination.

Eric and the Woolly Jumpers is an adorkable children's/middle-grade novel.  It's a children's novel in the same way The Little Prince is a children's novel, exciting and thought provoking.  And many people enjoy it into adulthood.

In a world far, far in the future, sheep are now evolving to be a more sentient species.  They are wishing to overthrow the dictatorial Emia Hopsons.

This book is full of anagrams.  I didn't notice it at first, but the name Merly Boab was far too similar to Bob Marley for me to miss it.  I then started looking for anagrams.  They were everywhere! (Emia Hopsons = Homo sapiens)  It is pretty amazing really.  Kids would find that a wonderful element in this book.  It was fun decoding the anagrams.

Overall, the book was very magical and extremely cute.  It even deals with some advanced topics such as quantum physics (in a very minor manor).  I appreciated the pop-culture references, especially one from Dirty Harry.  I'll definitely give this to my friends when their children are older.  I'm certain they'll enjoy it.

Eric and the Woolly Jumpers seems to be a great learning tool for kids.  And I think because it's so fantastical in nature it could help kids want to read.

Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.