Teddy vs. the Fuzzy Doom (Secrets of Ravensbarrow, #1)

by Braden Hallett

[annieb123]

Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.

Teddy vs. the Fuzzy Doom is the first volume of a genuinely funny illustrated middle grade series by Braden Hallett. Released 2nd April 2024 by Annick Press, it's 288 pages and is available in hardcover and paperback formats. 

This is such a quirky and compassionately written book- Teddy has a lot of anxiety issues. His mind runs away with potentially catastrophic scenarios. It turns out, when he's really faced with a crisis on his first day at a new school, he's pretty good at figuring out what to do. 

The plot is silly and over the top. It's not quite horror, but there's a lot of dramatic tension (mind control hamsters!!!). It's a bit dark in places, but nothing *really* scary. Teddy is appealing and sympathetically written.

The illustrations are excellent and abundant. There are maps and diagrams, some quite detailed, along with character studies and incidental art. Appealing and well rendered in grayscale pen and ink sketches throughout.

Four and a half stars. This would be a good choice for public or school library acquisition, home library, or gifting to a young reader of Goosebumps, or similar.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.