Review: Fluff: Bullies Beware!


There's nothing to not like about Stanton's latest junior graphic fiction series, Fluff. Except maybe bullies, which Gilbert and his gigantic fluffy bunny buddy do, with a passion. In fact their borderline self-righteousness and desire to wreak revenge on their arch nemesis, Carl, becomes their soul purpose and the core of this cute and quirky tale which features tonnes of turtles, parmesan cheese, drones and undies in weird places. Kids will love the zaniness, the absurdity, the talking fish (I did) and the extremely brilliant illustrations swimming with motion and madness (the facial expressions alone are a crack up). 

What makes a great graphic novel experience superlative are the touches of tenderness secreted amidst the crazy. Stanton does this quietly and with great effect beginning with the 'bit at the beginning' which is in fact the hook for book #2 right there (for me anyways). Along with the series's namesake of course. 

We learn that Gilbert lost his father as a young toddler; to space aliens as he believes. To help compensate for this tragic turn of events. Gilbert receives a fluffy puffy bunny from mum who advises lots of cuddles and bunny snuggling. Gil becomes so adept at loving Fluff that one day, Fluff does more than love him back. He talks to him, too. So begins a wonderful mateship, the kind where Fluff always has Gil's back even if his ideas are not always 100% appropriate. They are reassuringly funny, though. Which is more than something.

And so is this first foray into life with a giant over confident rabbit. I ended up loving this more than I thought I would and I reckon kids won't have any problem doing so either. Bullies Beware is, as the title suggests, about coming to terms with the school's worst bully. And despite the hilarious succession of revenge antics, there is some very cool advice thrown in by Gilbert and Fluff which I for one hope, becomes a national schoolyard credo. 

Time to get your bunny on kids to make sure you get enough of the wonderful Fluff. :-)

Title:  Fluff: Bullies Beware!
Author /Illustrator: Matt Stanton
Publisher:  HarperCollins imprint ABC Books, $15.99
Publication Date:  1 November 2023
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 99780733342080
For ages:  7 – 12
Type:  Illustrated Junior Fiction / Graphic Novel

Buy the Book: HarperCollins Australia, Booktopia

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