The Trouble with Fuzzwonker Fizz

January 11, 2016
Ten-year-old Harold Fuzzwonker gets a crash course in the underground world of Fizzopolis, populated by furry/goopy creatures called Fizzies that were accidentally created by Harold’s father, an absentminded inventor responsible for a soda that “makes the longest burps in the history of ever.” This is the print debut for animator/director/producer Sheesley, and it’s a successful pairing: Carman’s story has the rapid pace and joke-dense writing of a Nickelodeon cartoon, which is precisely the vibe conjured by Sheesley’s frenzied b&w artwork. Burp jokes and slapstick abound as Harold brings an unpredictable Fizzy named Floyd to school, all building to a somewhat abrupt ending that suggests that corporate shenanigans await in the next book. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Susan Schulman, Susan Schulman Literary Agency.

December 1, 2015
In this effervescent startup, Harold discovers that the soda pop his dad invented produces more than just awesome belches. Harold is invited as a 10th birthday present to tour at last the secret underground lab/factory where his loving but distracted adoptive father manufactures the wildly popular (and sugar free!) Fuzzwonker Fizz. He is delighted to discover that the process makes not only froth, but Fizzies--popeyed creatures who, not unlike Oompa-Loompas, cheerfully live and toil in the subterranean community of Fizzopolis. Disaster nearly ensues when Harold recklessly takes Floyd, a small green Fizzy with a truly short attention span, to school. After several misadventures, Floyd is carried off to the rival Snood Candy Factory by archenemy Garvin Snood. Will the Snoods, makers of the heavily sugared Flooze, foundation for dozens of ghastly-sounding products, pull the tab on Fizzopolis and the secret formula for Fuzzwonker Fizz? No, as it happens, but another explosive secret does pop before the episode's abrupt cutoff. Stay tuned. Sheesley splashes silly cartoon sketches through Harold's sugar rush of a narrative. A gas, despite a sour whiff in the supporting cast and a plotline that's not quite topped off. (Adventure. 8-10)

COPYRIGHT(2015) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

January 1, 2016

Gr 2-5-Carman ventures into the realm of comedy with endearing characters in this hilarious story of a young boy named Harold Fuzzwonker. Harold lives in the shadow of his scientist father, who is the creator of an amazing soda pop called Fuzzwonker Fizz, which can ignite a belch that is rumored to be the longest and loudest in the world. Dr. Fuzzwonker is always looking over his shoulder to make sure that his secret recipe will not be stolen by his enemy, Mr. Snood, the owner of a candy factory. Mr. Snood's son, Gavin, is in Harold's class and is always trying to find out the dirt on the Fuzzwonkers. When Harold's friend Floyd makes his way into the Snoods' candy factory, Harold must save him-and the secrets of the Fuzzwonker Fizz recipe. With a Ren and Stimpy feel, Sheesley's illustrations add charm and humor to the story. Fans of "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" (Abrams) or "Captain Underpants" (Scholastic) are sure to enjoy this slapstick romp. VERDICT A great addition to any elementary library.-Katy Charles, Virgil Elementary School, Cortland, NY

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.