The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles
by Julie Andrews Edwards

5 out of 5 stars

Three siblings meet a strange old professor who tells them about the mysterious Whangdoodle, a creature thought to be mythological. The professor assures the children that the Whangdoodle is real, and he can be found ruling over other fantastic creatures in a mystic land in another dimension. If only they can crack the science of imagination, they will be able to cross over into Whangdoodle land. However, there is a guardian of the Whangdoodle, the Prock, who will do everything possible to stop the children and Professor from reaching the Whangdoodle.

I loved this imaginative story! It’s so wild and weird. There are all kinds of strange creatures that the children meet. They have some wild adventures and fall into traps set by the Prock and his friends. But nothing can harm them if they rely on their common sense and courage.

There is something really special about this writing style. It sweeps you into a land of enchantment and freedom!

The characters are very relatable, as they try their best to remember all they have learned from the Professor. They often make mistakes and act foolishly, but they also have moments of triumph and bravery when their best qualities come to the rescue. I love the character growth for each of them, but especially for the little sister. She is so fearful in the beginning, but she begins to gain some confidence through all their adventures.

There is one scene that really spoke to me on a deep level, where the little sister has just been terrified by one of the creatures they encounter.
…”they did frighten me so.”
The Professor looked at her fondly. “I know. You were very brave about it.”
“No, I wasn’t.” She began to get tearful again. “I cried and everything.”
“Well, it’s all right to cry. It helps a great deal sometimes, and just think what you accomplished today. “

I love that this book has deep themes about courage and imagination and responsibility and family. Woven into the wildness of story are some very important messages about how to face challenges and believe in yourself and how to be kind to others.