Gobbledy

Gobbledy by Lis Anna-Langston   232 pages

Okay, fellow readers, “Gobbledy” is the must-read book of the 2020 holiday season (or any holiday season for that matter)!  It has all the magic and wonder that is missing this year.  The tag line really says it all: “Gobbledy is a fun-filled holiday story that adds up to two brothers, three friends, unlimited jars of peanut butter, a ketchup factory, and one little alien far, far from home.”

Things have been out of sorts for the last six months at the Duckworth home. Nothing seems right since Mom died. Dad does his best, but as the Christmas (or Kissmas, as they call it) approaches, there seems to be less merry and bright than ever.

Eleven-year-old Dexter, his best friend and next door neighbor, Fiona (Fi for short) are working on their science projects that are due on the last day of school before Winter Break. As the novel opens, Fi spots something very interesting on the camera that she installed in the forest. When they reach the spot, they find tiny, cream-colored mushroom that sparkle with lights that float above them. They are growing in a circle around a golden, shimmering rock. Dexter reaches for it, but the mushrooms shock him, as if they are standing guard.

While in his backpack, the rock turns into a small creature, the size of a cricket. Only problem is, it keeps growing until reaches the size of a two-year-old.  And it makes the most horrific noises.

The little creature looks like a mash-up of a cat, a rat, and a rabbit. The illustrations are adorable. The first time I saw Gobbledy, I was in in love. He was given the name because he eats everything…everything, but has a penchant for peanut butter.

Dexter, Fi and joined by Dexter’s eight-and-a-half-year-old brother, Dougal, try to figure out what to do with him. In the meantime, they must hide the creature from the boys’ dad.  Gobbledy is obsessed with a Pet Rock and an empty milk bottle and rarely goes anywhere without them, which makes it more difficult to conceal him.

At times hilarious, at times heart-breaking, readers will love this E.T. meets ALF meets the movie, “A Christmas Story.”  

Gobbledy receives 6 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.