The Adventures of Caveboy

July 17, 2017
This zippy series kickoff introduces Caveboy, a prehistoric boy who, over three chapters, breaks his treasured club playing “baseskull,” finds a replacement club with help from new friend Mags, and attempts to beat Mags in a footrace without letting go of his club. Single-minded and single-eyebrowed (“All you need is one!”), Caveboy is a mischievous, relatable hero who is determined to do things his way but willing to take advice now and again. Wight’s full-color cartoons have a scruffy charm and readily draw out the humor woven into each chapter. Simultaneously available: Caveboy Is Bored! Ages 5–7. Author’s agent: Rachel Orr, Prospect Agency.

March 1, 2017

Gr 1-4-In this humorous new series set in prehistoric times, Caveboy teams up with his friend Mags for a day of high jinks. In The Adventures of Caveboy, after Caveboy thumps his club around on bushes and rocks, it unexpectedly breaks. Fortunately, Mags helps him find a new one. Caveboy then decides it would be fun to challenge Mags to a race. Things take an unexpected turn when she gets lost. Caveboy knows he must locate her because Mags is his best friend. In Caveboy Is Bored!, the prehistoric protagonist is at loose ends and must come up with a way to entertain himself. Luckily, Caveboy realizes that his little sister, who always seemed so annoying, is finally old enough to be a playmate. Together they climb, chase, and even tease a saber-toothed cat. After what turns out to be a great day of fun, Mom and Dad tell the siblings it's time for bed. However, there's still excitement to be had because Sister is not quite ready to sleep and Caveboy must figure out a way to get her to settle down. VERDICT With short chapters, appealing illustrations, and simple story lines, this series is just right for brand-new readers.-Mary Jennings, Camano Island Library, WA

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

May 15, 2017
Club in hand, Caveboy can do anything!Caveboy lives with his mother, father, little sister (all pale-skinned), and smiling pet rock in a cave (obviously). His most important possession is his club; every caveperson needs a club. Clubs are good for thumping most things (just not mammoths) and reaching things (but maybe not beehives). The best thing that clubs are good for is playing baseskull (in which an evidently human skull acts as ball). Caveboy is very confident in his baseskull skills. He asks Mama to play catch with him...he's not very good. She tells him to practice, but he doesn't need it. He gets Papa to pitch to him; turns out Caveboy isn't much good as a batter, but he still doesn't want to practice. When he gets his little sister to pitch to him (still without practice), the unthinkable happens: his club breaks, setting up the second story in this three-episode volume, in which she searches for a new club and meets a new friend, a girl with dark skin. Bardhan-Quallen adds another funny series to Bloomsbury's line of transitional readers. The simple sentences, use of repeated words, and ample white space make this a great first step away from early readers for those approaching chapters. Here, each chapter's a self-contained story. Wight's full-color watercolor-appearing illustrations are jewel-eyed, cartoony, and fun. Sequel Caveboy Is Bored! publishes simultaneously. Will likely please little cavepersons. (Fantasy. 4-7)

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