Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
Here Comes Charlie Moon
Fiction
For ages 6 to 9
Random House UK, 1989 ISBN: 978-0099922308
Charlie Moon is driving his mother crazy. It is the summer holidays and she decides that for her own and Charlie's sake it would be best if he went and spent some time with his Auntie Jean in Penwyn. Aunt Jean owns a joke shop in the seaside town, and this summer Charlie's cousin Ariadne is also staying with their aunt. Ariadne can be very annoying at times, especially when she talks about how "pathetic" and "typical" something is. At the same time she is decent company, and she and Charlie don't fight all the time.
Charlie's stay in Penwyn is made much more complicated when a number of things start to happen. First of all there are the strange goings on at Mr. Cornetto's "Carlo's Crazy Castle." Then there is Connie, Aunt Jean's old friend who reappears after being gone for years. Connie loves spending time with Auntie Jean and Mr. Cornetto, much to the annoyance of her sister-in-law who thinks that Connie shouldn't be keeping company with such low class people. Finally there are the Morgan brothers, an awful pair of boys who are not to be trusted and who are bent on causing mischief.
Gorilla suits, ghosts, missing jewellery, and other mysteries fill this wonderful story. Shirley Hughes has created a deliciously colourful and funny series of characters to people her tale. With their odd ways and unique "voices" they make the reader smile as the story unfolds. Shirley Hughes' wonderful black and white illustrations are found throughout this book.
