The Misadventures of Benjamin Bartholomew Piff

If granted a single wish, would you wish for unlimited wishes? Clever children often do, but for Benjamin Bartholomew Piff that wish wreaks havoc in his already unanchored life. As he is catapulted from a horrible orphanage into another dimension--in which wishes become an unstoppable force--Benjamin hones his knowledge of wishes, hopes, and family. Roy Dotrice undertakes this narration with verve. Ben's transformation from a doleful and passive youngster to an engaged and confident boy is both subtle and convincing. Dotrice has fun with the myriad supporting characters, from Leo Snifflewiffle, the doting former president of Wishworks, to the blustery orphanage cook and the three vintage robots. Dotrice sets a brisk clip that increases as the mission speeds to its climax. A.R. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

August 1, 2007
Gr 4-6- -When Benjamin Bartholomew Piff, an orphan, makes a birthday wish for unlimited wishes, he unintentionally becomes the catalyst for disrupting the balance between wishes and curses in this light adventure fantasy (Grosset, 2007) by Jason Lethcoe. Before Ben he can really enjoy all the wonderful things he can wish for, he is drafted by the Wishworks Factory director to fight the Curseworks Factory's plan to curses unstoppable. An inventive plot and entertaining characters help move Benjamin's series of lighthearted misadventures to their inevitable conclusion. Roy Dotrice's clear, strong voice and the distinctive voices he provides for the characters keeps the story moving along. Harry Potter fans will enjoy this fantasy tale.-Denise A. Garofalo, Astor Learning Center, Astor Home for Children, Rhinebeck, NY

Copyright 2007 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.