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We were lucky enough to get a preview copy of Dexter Procter and the Case of the Disappearing Doctor by Adam Kay, with thanks to Penguin Books. Here's what we thought!
With 4 attempts at a Chapter 1 until we get to one that the main character Dexter Procter is happy with, the tone of this book is set from the very beginning - and itâs a funny one.
Dexter himself often interrupts the text with additions and corrections, which actually (make sure your kids arenât reading this bit) teach kids facts without bogging the storyline down with loads of extra information. Itâs there, but only in Dexterâs asides, separate from the narration. So if they are a bit too much for your child, they can skip over them and keep reading without compromising their understanding of the plot. It's a unique approach that plays to the author's strengths with his medical background shining through, and a natural progression from his non-fiction books.
But I donât think they will skip them because thatâs where Adam Kayâs genius lies, in his ability to boil sometimes quite complex medical definitions down into kid-friendly language. Itâs what made his original non-fiction books so popular in our house, and what has made Dexter Procter a firm favourite too. Theyâre also very funny, with Dexterâs disdain for his author shining through each one.
Henry Pakerâs expressive illustrations bring the story and characters to life, making it a great next step in a childâs reading journey if theyâre moving onto longer books, but perhaps still a bit daunted by novels that are text only.
I won't give the plot away (Dexter is already annoyed by the title revealing too much!) but suffice to say Dexter Procter and the Case of the Disappearing Doctor has got a brilliantly fun storyline that any kid aged 8 and over will enjoy. Boys can be harder to encourage to read, but I think they'll love this, especially all the toilet humour - my kids particularly loved that! Whether your child is reading it independently or you're reading it together, I'm sure this book will be a hit.
But don't just take my word for it....
Sam, age 12:
"It's good. I like the bits of text that Dexter writes in the book, basically just vandalising the book and criticising the author. They're really funny and they're also educational. I like how all the events and things in the book are accurate to real life, so it gives me an insight into what it's like working in a hospital - except for the 10-year-old doctor!"
